DALLAS (ABP) — Suzii Paynter has been named director of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission — the first woman to hold the influential position.
The directorship of the ethics and public-policy organization is historically one of the most high-profile positions in the Baptist General Convention of Texas and religious life in Texas. She had served as interim director since March 2, after the death of longtime director Phil Strickland from cancer.
Paynter's husband, Roger, is pastor of First Baptist Church in Austin, where she is a frequent teacher and ordained deacon.
Charles Wade, executive director of the BGCT, said Suzii Paynter has a deep passion for Christ, for serving Texas Baptists, and improving the state.
“Suzii exemplifies the qualities and passion that filled the past great leaders of the Christian Life Commission,” Wade said. “She demonstrates an ability to lead, and lead effectively, the ethics arm of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.”
Like her mentor, Strickland, Paynter served as public-policy director of the Texas CLC before becoming director. Both Paynter and Strickland were considered effective lobbyists and coalition-builders for progressive Christian issues in the state's capital.
She earned a bachelor's degree from Baylor University and master's degrees from Stephen F. Austin University and the University of Louisville.
In choosing Paynter, Wade consulted with a search committee led by Jim Nelson, vice chairman of the BGCT Executive Board. She was the best candidate in a strong field of people who applied to the position, Nelson said. “She is passionate about helping churches find biblical answers to ethical issues,” he added.
Paynter worked for 25 years as a national literacy professional advocating for state and federal policy changes that would provide systemic remedies for hard-to-teach children.
She serves on the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's Coordinating Council and is a recent board member of the Baptist Joint Committee on Religious Liberty, the Religious Liberty Council and Whitsett Baptist Heritage Society.
-30-