Suzii Paynter, who announced last year she would retire as executive coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship when a successor is named, has taken a new job.
Pastors for Texas Children, a non-profit organization that advocates for public schools, announced Jan. 7 that Paynter has joined the staff as a ministry co-director.
Paynter returns to Texas after five years with the 1,800-church CBF with headquarters in Decatur, Georgia. Previously she worked as director of advocacy and care at the Baptist General Convention of Texas and director of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission.
Founded by longtime CBF pastor Charles Foster Johnson, Pastors for Texas Children recently expanded work into Oklahoma and Tennessee. Johnson, the group’s executive director, said in a press release that Paynter’s work at the Texas CLC helped pave the way for the formation of Pastors for Texas Children in 2013.
Johnson said Paynter will transition from a consulting role with Pastors for Texas Children to a formal, contract position after her responsibilities officially end at CBF. PTC has no salaried positions. She will be based in Austin.
Paynter also joins Charles Luke, a former Texas public school superintendent serving as co-director of Pastors for Texas Children in addition to his work as coordinator of the Coalition for Public Schools and founder and director of the Coalition for Education Funding.