BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Randy Davis, president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention (TBC), was elected unanimously as the convention’s next executive director, effective July 1, during a called meeting of the TBC executive board June 2.
Davis did not immediately accept the position, noting that he wanted to share his decision with his congregation, First Baptist Church, Sevierville, on June 6. After speaking to his church, Davis notified the executive board’s president, Lon Shoopman, that he would accept the TBC position. Davis, 53, also had been the unanimous choice of both the search committee and the administrative committee of the executive board.
A native of Mobile, Davis has served in Tennessee since 1992 when he became pastor of First Baptist Church, Morristown. During his tenure there, the church averaged more than 150 additions each year. The church also increased its Cooperative Program (CP) giving from $32,897 (4.2 percent) to $188,373 (9.8 percent).
Davis accepted the pastorate of First, Sevierville, in 2001. The church has 4,300 members with an average attendance of 1,975. During Davis’ tenure, the church has had more than 900 baptisms. CP giving has increased from $105,000 (4 percent) in 2001 to $388,000 (8.3 percent of current budget) with a goal of moving to 10 percent.
In addition to serving as the TBC president, Davis has been president of the Tennessee Baptist Pastors Conference and has served on the board of trustees of Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City. At the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) level, Davis has served as a trustee of the International Mission Board and on the SBC Committee on Committees and the Committee on Nominations.
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