Lead Pastor Nominated As President For SBC
Clint Pressley, the lead pastor at Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been nominated for the presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) by Pastor Chris Justice of Lee Park Baptist Church in Monroe, North Carolina. Justice highlights Pressley’s unwavering commitment to the SBC’s mission, praising him as a man of strong convictions, orthodox beliefs, and a dedicated advocate for the collaboration of Southern Baptists.
Pressley’s nomination is a significant development for the SBC, marking the first for the upcoming presidential election scheduled during the Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana. Under Pressley’s leadership, Hickory Grove has experienced notable growth, witnessing 69 baptisms and maintaining an average worship attendance of 2,632 last year. The church has also made substantial financial contributions, including over $244,000 to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions and approximately $73,000 to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American missions.
With a solid educational background, including a Bachelor of Arts from Wofford College and a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Pressley brings both academic and practical experience to his pastoral role. Prior to leading Hickory Grove in 2011, he served as a senior pastor in churches in Mississippi and Dauphin Way Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama.
Pressley’s involvement in SBC affairs goes beyond his pastoral duties, with various leadership roles such as vice president of the SBC’s Pastors’ Conference in 2013, first vice president of the SBC in 2014-2015, a trustee of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary since 2015, and a member of the North Carolina Baptist Board of Directors since the previous year. Additionally, Pressley actively engages in SBC politics, exemplified by his nomination of Florida Pastor Willy Rice for SBC president in 2022.
Pressley’s commitment extends to broader discussions within the Southern Baptist community, as demonstrated by his critique of former Vice President Mike Pence’s politically-oriented speech at the 2018 SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas. His willingness to address overarching issues reflects a dedication to the overall well-being and direction of the Southern Baptist denomination beyond the confines of his local church.