Mich. Convention starts search for executive director

FENTON, Mich. — There’s more to Michigan than a troubled auto industry, leaders of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan say in launching a search for their next executive director.

With Michael Collins’ announcement that he will retire Dec. 31 upon completion of 16 years of service to the state, a 14-member search committee has issued a news release envisioning another “visionary leader with administrative skills” who will have “a minimum of a master’s level degree, pastoral experience and proven [Southern Baptist Convention] denominational leadership.”

“This is my 41st year in state convention work,” Collins told Baptist Press.

Before becoming Michigan’s executive director, Collins served in various roles with the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio for 22 years. He also was a staff member in the Florida Baptist Convention’s Sunday School department and was pastor of churches in Tennessee and Texas.