David W. Manner, executive director-treasurer of the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists, has announced his plans to retire at or before the state convention’s annual meeting in October 2026. He will be concluding 26 years of service on staff with the KNCSB, also known as Church Forward.
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Manner shared the announcement with the Church Forward Executive Committee and Mission Board, noting that his decision followed months of prayer with his wife Karen.
During his 26 years on staff with Church Forward, Manner traveled extensively across Kansas and Nebraska serving pastors and churches. Reflecting on those years, he noted that the ministry included nearly 1 million miles driven and approximately 1,000 hotel nights while working alongside church leaders throughout the region. In retirement, Manner said he looks forward to spending more time with family, including his wife, daughter, son-in-law, grandson and soon-to-arrive granddaughter. He also hopes to continue writing and serving in part-time ministry roles.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Kevin Ferstl and originally published by Baptist Press.





