Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
The Baptist Paper
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds

Southern Baptist TEXAN editor, editor-elect prepare for upcoming three-month transition period

  • August 29, 2021
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Latest News, Texas

Southern Baptist TEXAN editor, editor-elect prepare for upcoming three-month transition period

After 21 years as editor of the Southern Baptist TEXAN, Gary Ledbetter will be transitioning to a part-time advisory position with the publication at the end of the year as he begins taking steps toward retirement. The TEXAN is the print and digital newsjournal of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.

Gary Ledbetter

“It’s a rare privilege to be part of something dynamic and groundbreaking,” Ledbetter said. “Our state convention had something like 450 churches when I began and now has almost 2,700 churches. That’s a lot of change. I’m honored to have helped tell that story.”

Ledbetter previously served as dean of students at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, and has served churches and denominational entities in Texas, Indiana, Arkansas and Missouri for more than 46 years. Gary is a graduate of Criswell College in Dallas, Texas; Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas; and Midwestern Seminary.

Ledbetter’s wife, Tammi, recently retired from the news editor role with the TEXAN after 20 years.

Editor-elect Jayson Larson

To allow a time of overlap and a formal handoff going into 2022, the TEXAN editor-elect Jayson Larson was hired and approved by the SBTC executive board Aug. 24.

Larson also will serve as associate for digital ministries and communications for the convention, a role he begins in October.

Jayson Larson

Larson, currently senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Prineville, Oregon, served as associate pastor of First Baptist Church Vidor, Texas, from 2015 to 2019. He earned a degree in journalism/communications from Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas, and a bachelor of arts in communication and biblical study from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He is currently pursuing a master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Lance Crowell, senior strategist for SBTC’s digital ministries and communications, described Larson as “understanding the news side of the TEXAN and also having a pastor’s heart.”

Larson has been a sports and news writer and editor for the Athens Daily Review and other newspapers and has won numerous awards from the Associated Press Managing Editors Association, Texas Press Association and Northeast Texas Press Association. He also formerly served as a public relations officer for Trinity Valley Community College.

—Compiled from reporting by the TEXAN and TAB Media

Share with others:

Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Multi-generational flood recovery team deploys to Kerrville
    Multi-generational flood recovery team deploys to Kerrville
    July 17, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Creek baptisms spark ‘revival for your soul’
    Creek baptisms spark ‘revival for your soul’
    July 17, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Texans volunteers offer help, hope to Hill Country families
    Texans volunteers offer help, hope to Hill Country families
    July 17, 2025/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Multi-generational flood recovery team deploys to Kerrville

After losing his wife of 67 years a year and a half ago, Peña said, “They’ve dragged me back into enjoying living again.”

Creek baptisms spark ‘revival for your soul’

Last month, Keith Springs Baptist Church held what many are calling a small revival, as nearly two dozen people were baptized in the flowing waters of a creek on the Money family property in Franklin County.

Texans volunteers offer help, hope to Hill Country families

“This, … all of these volunteers, it means everything to us,” John Vlasek said. “I can’t believe they’re here and helping us.”

Pastor spends night on pond in latest VBS fundraising challenge

For 14 years, Deep Creek has set a giving goal to be met during VBS. In turn, pastor Mark Perko sets a challenge that he will complete upon the goal being met.

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2025 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

About

  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church
  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news

Subscribe

  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel