Julio Guarneri, lead pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen, Texas, was announced this afternoon (Sept. 3) as the nominee for the next executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
The announcement was made on the Executive Director Search Committee webpage of the Texas Baptists website, where full details are provided.
In its announcement, the search committee praised Guarneri’s character, courageous leadership and calling.
“We believe Dr. Julio Guarneri meets and exceeds the qualities listed in the search prospectus. His personal characteristics of humility, meekness and courageous leadership confirmed a sense of calling and affirmed the committee’s selection,” the committee said. “We believe these qualities will further the cause of Christ in carrying out the mission and purpose of Texas Baptists in the days to come.”
‘Respected Baptist statesman’
Wendell Wright, chair of the search committee and director of church and denominational relations at Dallas Baptist University, added, “Dr. Guarneri is a respected Baptist statesman. He has a rich and longstanding history as a pastor coupled with a proven capacity to lead our convention with sensitivity, conviction, humility, grace and strength.”
Guarneri, who currently is carrying out his second term as president of the convention, completed his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University in Kingsville. He also earned a master of arts in religious education degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and a Ph.D. in leadership studies from Dallas Baptist University.
He and his wife, Monica, have four children and two grandchildren.
Guarneri will be presented by the search committee to the BGCT executive board Sept. 18, during the board’s first session. He is the first Hispanic nominee for the executive director position in the BGCT’s 137-year history.
