Pete Ramirez is the new executive director of the California Southern Baptist Convention.
The CSBC made the live announcement Thursday (May 12) on Facebook. Ramirez, former associate executive director, was one of several candidates who was considered for the position following the announcement of Bill Agee’s transition into retirement at the start of 2022, CSBC noted.
After several months and a unanimous vote, the search committee presented Ramirez as the sole candidate to the CSBC executive board on Thursday during their executive session. Agee is in full support of Ramirez and the Board’s decision saying, “Pete is an excellent choice. I know he’ll do a great job, and I’m behind him 100%!”
Daniel Cassels, executive board president and search committee member, said, “The committee was excited to be a part of finding the next leader for the California Southern Baptist Convention. We knew this was an important task that required great prayer and consideration.”
‘Established relationships’
Cassels, who also is pastor at Life Way Fellowship in Santa Maria, went on to emphasize Ramirez’s strength in relationship building between CSBC and other SBC leaders and agencies.
“Pete already established relationships with other entities both state and national,” he said. “This relational leadership gave him a head start on the bridge-building needed for us to be better together as we minister to the people of California and even to the end of the earth.”
Ramirez first joined CSBC as the missions and evangelism team leader in 2017. By 2020, he was elected to the role of associate executive director, following the retirement of Mike McCullough.
Prior to his involvement in convention work, Ramirez and his wife, Anabella, had faithfully served in California Southern Baptist churches for more than 25 years.
Ramirez completed his undergraduate degree at Biola University in La Mirada. He earned a master of theological studies in 2014 from Gateway Seminary and is currently completing a doctor of ministry from the seminary.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Sarah M. Graham wrote this story that was originally published by the California Southern Baptist Convention.
