WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (ABP) — Larry Hovis will become coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina following action by the group's coordinating council Sept. 2.
The position has been vacant since former coordinator Bob Patterson announced earlier this year that he was stepping aside to pursue other ministry opportunities. Patterson served five years as the first paid coordinator of the 10-year old organization, which now has relationships with about 300 churches.
Hovis, pastor of The Memorial Baptist Church in Greenville since 1999, previously served as moderator-elect, moderator and past-moderator of North Carolina CBF. His wife, Kim, was the organization's first paid employee, serving as secretary and office manager from 1995-97.
Hovis' insider status was seen as a strength, said search committee chairman Tim Moore. About 40 people were recommended to the committee, Moore said — about a third of them women – from as far away as New England and Texas. But the committee placed a priority on finding a good leader from North Carolina, Moore said. Hovis is a native of Charlotte, a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and has served for 10 years as a pastor in North Carolina.
Hovis, 42, has been actively involved in Baptist State Convention life. He has served on boards or committees of Campbell University, Gardner-Webb University, the Center for Congregational Health, the Biblical Recorder, and the state convention.
Hovis, who will assume the position Oct. 11, said he wants to continue cooperating with the state convention. “My personal desire is for the BSC to remain a large tent and for CBF folks to have a place in BSC life,” he said.
Prior to his tenure at The Memorial Baptist Church in Greenville, Hovis served First Baptist Church in Mocksville and two congregations in Virginia.
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