Jordon Willard to Be Nominated for Baptist Convention Role
The leadership change will affect organizational priorities for members of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Should church leadership roles prioritize candidates with extensive experience in the organization's existing programs?
At the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina annual meeting on Nov. 16-17, 2026, Jordon Willard is slated to be nominated for second vice president. The upcoming leadership vote will occur at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro.
Why it matters
The nomination highlights shifts in organizational leadership within the state's largest religious convention. Operators and stakeholders in affiliated entities monitor these leadership changes for potential impacts on cooperative funding priorities and strategic ministry partnerships.
First Baptist Church of Garner reported 650 members and $100,637 in Cooperative Program gifts in 2025, compared to 100 members and $19,349 in gifts from First Baptist Church of Weddington. These figures detail the scale of church operations associated with the nominee.
The players
Jordon Willard
Lead pastor of First Baptist Church of Garner and former president of the 2023 N.C. Baptist Pastors' Conference.
Michael Cloer
The individual designated to formally nominate Willard for the second vice president position.
Baptist State Convention of North Carolina
A religious organization that coordinates cooperative ministry and funding across a network of affiliated churches.
Steven Wade
A nominee for the position of president within the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.
Matt Capps
A nominee for the position of first vice president within the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.
The details
Jordon Willard currently serves as lead pastor of First Baptist Church of Garner and brings experience from previous pastorates in Weddington and Tarboro. He has held multiple internal roles, including service on the N.C. Baptist board of directors and leadership of the 2023 N.C. Baptist Pastors' Conference. His candidacy follows a multi-year track record of committee work, including a study evaluating convention partnerships.
Timeline
2016 to 2020: Willard served as senior pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Tarboro.
2018 to 2021: Willard served on the N.C. Baptist board of directors.
2021 to 2022: Willard served on a special study committee evaluating convention partnerships.
Nov. 16-17, 2026: The N.C. Baptist annual meeting occurs in Greensboro.
Market Landscape
The nomination follows a documented pattern of leadership progression established during Willard's tenure as president of the 2023 N.C. Baptist Pastors' Conference. This transition reflects the convention's established system for vetting future executive leadership through committee service.
Operators in affiliated organizations should monitor the Nov. 16-17, 2026, election results to gauge potential shifts in organizational priorities. Changes at the vice presidential level can signal broader adjustments to convention-wide funding or committee focus in the coming fiscal cycle.
The takeaway
The nomination underscores the importance of committee-level experience in preparing for executive roles within large religious organizations. Members should track the outcome of the Nov. 16-17, 2026, elections to understand the future strategic direction of the convention.
Further reading
For additional context on leadership developments in the state, see North Carolina People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Biblical Recorder.
Live Poll
Should church leadership roles prioritize candidates with extensive experience in the organization's existing programs?
