Following nine years as executive director for the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention, Chris Martin recently announced he has accepted a new role as director of state, association and network partnerships with the International Mission Board.
Martin, who previously had served as a Hawaii pastor and in various leadership roles for HPBC, made the announcement Jan. 6. He and his wife Wendy plan to move to Richmond, Virginia at the end of January.
“It’s an honor to have served you as executive director for the past nine years,” said Martin, who had served as pastor of Lahaina Baptist Church in Hawaii for eight years before accepting his role as executive director. “These years have been the most meaningful of my ministry career. Wendy and I have developed friendships and relationships with you like nowhere else.”
“As Wendy and I begin this shift in ministry, we ask for your prayers.”
Ready to serve
IMB President Paul Chitwood said in an announcement to state Baptist executives, “We are thrilled to have Chris coming on board since he understands very well the needs and opportunities of state conventions and also has a deep understanding of the IMB from having served as one of our trustees.
“During his time at the HPBC, Chris led in the formation of a unique partnership between his convention and the IMB to mobilize Southern Baptist mission work in the Asian Pacific Rim.”
Born in Louisiana, Martin is a graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition to serving in Hawaii, he has also led churches as a pastor in Louisiana and Florida. He we elected president of HPBC in 2013 after previously serving as first and second vice president.
John Endriss, HPBC president, noted, “The other [HPBC] board officers and I are immensely grateful for all that Chris and Wendy have invested into our convention over the past nine years as executive director, along with their previous time leading Lahaina Baptist Church.
“We are excited about the opportunity they have before them to help all the state conventions across the SBC in their strategic mission plans with the IMB,” he said.
