As SBC Executive Committee chair David Sons began taking nominations for a new presidential search committee late in the afternoon May 1, EC’s interim president Willie McLaurin grabbed a hug from Jared Wellman as he and his family slipped out.
McLaurin shared in a written comment to Baptist Press and The Baptist Paper: “I am incredibly thankful for the eight years that Dr. Wellman served as an Executive Committee trustee. It was my joy to serve alongside him as he chaired the Executive Committee this past year. I will be praying for Jared and his family as they navigate the next chapter of ministry.”
Wellman’s nomination to be the next EC president and CEO failed 50 to 31. To read more on Wellman and for background on the events of today, read this story from The Baptist Paper.
Wellman’s response
“My heart is with you,” Wellman shared with the full board after the announcement. “God bless you. My prayers are with you.”
The EC members extended a standing ovation as their former board of trustees chair left the stage.
New search committee
The new search committee members are: Corey Cain of Tennessee, Neal Hughes of Alabama, Drew Landry of Virginia, Nick Sandefur of Kentucky, Sarah Rogers of South Carolina and Nancy Spaulding of Michigan. Sons also will serve as an ex-officio voting member of the committee. The committee will meet May 8 via Zoom to select officers and determine next steps.
To read about the press conference held May 1 with Sons as well as more details related to the meeting, click here.
