Judson W. “Bill” Hurt, senior pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Columbus, was elected without opposition to a first term as president of the Mississippi Baptist Convention during the Oct. 24 morning session of the 2023 Annual Meeting at First Baptist Church Jackson.
He replaces Lloyd Sweatt, pastor of Meadowood Baptist Church, Amory, who completed his second term and was not eligible for reelection.
Scott Hanberry, senior pastor of Hardy Street Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, was elected without opposition to serve a first term as first vice-president, moving up from second vice-president. He succeeds Hurt.
In the only contested election of 2023, messengers chose David Haynes, senior pastor of Trinity Church, Fulton, for a first term as second vice-president over Gary Wyatt, retired pastor and member of North Morton Baptist Church, Morton.
Both Recording Secretary Michael Weeks, pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Olive Branch, and Associate Recording Secretary Will McNeese, senior pastor of Polkville Baptist Church, Polkville, were reelected without opposition.
Budget, resolutions
Messengers also approved a 2024 Cooperative Program budget of $30,890,325, an increase of $213,945, or .7%, over the 2023 budget. The portion going to Southern Baptist Convention causes for 2024 represents 39.25% of the total 2024 budget, or $12,124,453, an increase of 1.34%, or $160,665, more than the 2023 budget.
Messengers also passed four resolutions, which can be found here.
The 2024 Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Baptist Convention will be held Oct. 29–30 at First Baptist Church Jackson. Convention sermon was delivered by Josh Braddy, senior pastor of Broadmoor Baptist Church, Madison. Alternate preacher will be Greg Belser, senior pastor of Morrison Heights Church, Clinton.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by William Perkins and originally published by the Baptist Record.
