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Leadership searches: What’s the latest with ERLC, Lifeway, WMU, SEBTS and 3 state conventions?

Entities and organizations at various points in the search for their next leader responded to Baptist Press (BP) recently on the status of that process.
  • January 15, 2026
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • Baptist News, Latest News

Leadership searches: What’s the latest with ERLC, Lifeway, WMU, SEBTS and 3 state conventions?

Across the Southern Baptist Convention, several entities and state conventions are in the midst of searching of new leadership. So, what’s the latest?

The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and Lifeway Christian Resources are currently led by interim presidents while the search continues to find each entity’s new leader.

ERLC

About 20–30 related meetings for ERLC have been held since last fall, according to search team chair Mitch Kimbrell. The committee is preparing to narrow its candidate list, he noted. Meanwhile, retired South Carolina Baptist Convention executive Gary Hollingsworth continues to serve as interim ERLC president.

Lifeway

Lifeway’s search committee, chaired by Billy Stewart, has reportedly reviewing resumes for in-person interviews as longtime executive Joe Walker serves as interim president.

SEBTS

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Woman’s Missionary Union are also in the middle of transition. SEBTS President Danny Akin plans to remain in that role through July as trustees hope to announce a successor by then.

WMU

WMU Executive Director Sandy Wisdom-Martin plans to retire in January 2027, and a search committee should be announced by March.

State conventions

Meanwhile, at the state level at least three Baptist state conventions are looking for executive directors.

The Dakota Baptist Convention has received resumes, while Montana Southern Baptists have reportedly recommended Mikey Mewborn for that role. Indiana Baptists have reportedly closed applications for their executive director position.

See full story.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This report is a summary of a story written by Scott Barkley and published by Baptist Press. 

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