Historic Houston church calls young pastor

HOUSTON — One of Texas’ most historic and progressive Baptist churches has called a young Mississippian to be its pastor. South Main Baptist Church of Houston voted unanimously Feb. 2 to call Stephen Wells to its pulpit.

Wells, 34, has been pastor of Highland Colony Baptist Church in Ridgeland, Miss., for the past three years. He previously served three other churches as pastor. He also has previous Texas experience — he was part of the first graduating class at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary, where he received his master of divinity degree in 1997. Wells is scheduled to receive his doctoral degree from Truett later this year.

Wells also has a direct connection to South Main. His father-in-law, Dan Yeary, was an associate pastor at the church during the 1970s. Wells and his wife, Misty, have three children.