The new executive director of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship will tour parts of Texas during his first week on the job.
Paul Baxley is to address meetings in Dallas, Fort Worth, Waco, Austin, San Antonio and Houston March 20-22, Fellowship Southwest announced in an email to supporters.
Paul Baxley
Baxley was unanimously elected by CBF’s Governing Board last month. The senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Athens, Georgia, he replaces Suzii Paynter at the CBF helm.
During his visit to the Lone Star state, Baxley will discuss his vision for CBF, his commitment to the church and his background.
“At each of his stops in the Southwest, Baxley will enable participants to get to know him.”
Baxley will be accompanied by Rick McClatchy, coordinator of CBF Texas, and Marv Knox, field coordinator of Fellowship Southwest.
“We’re delighted Paul has made coming to see us a priority during his first week on the job,” Knox said in the email announcement. “It’s not coincidental Paul is visiting our region as he takes the helm of CBF.”
Baxley’s itinerary includes Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas; Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth; Seventh and James Baptist Church in Waco; Highland Park Baptist Church in Austin; Woodland Baptist Church in San Antonio; and South Main Baptist Church in Houston.
Registration information for each event is available online.
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GWU taps experienced dean and professor to lead university
College administrator and professor William M. Downs has been named the next president of Gardner-Webb University, the school has announced. His term begins July 1.
Downs has more than 20 years’ experience in higher education, including the past five years at East Carolina University as a political science professor and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.
William M. Downs
He previously served as a professor and dean at Georgia State University in Atlanta.
The university’s Baptist heritage and values will be celebrated, Downs said, adding he was also inspired by GWU’s traditions and people.
“Together, we will have the chance to write a new chapter in the history of one of North Carolina’s great universities,” he said in the announcement.
At ECU, Downs oversees 16 academic departments and 17 interdisciplinary degree programs.
A one-year search process culminated in Downs’ unanimous board confirmation, making him the 13th president in GWU’s history, the university said.
“He brings academic depth, significant leadership experience and vision to the position,” board chair Jennifer Marion Mills said. “We expect great things ahead.”