Yeats will not seek reelection as SBC recording secretary
By BP Staff
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (BP) – John Yeats’ 25th term as recording secretary for the Southern Baptist Convention will be his last, he told Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board members at the group’s meeting March 7.
Yeats, currently MBC executive director, went unopposed for 22 of those 25 years he was nominated for recording secretary. He was elected with 58.74 percent of messengers’ votes in 1997, 62.89 percent in 2019, and 56.08 percent in 2021.
As recording secretary, Yeats also served in an ex officio role on the SBC Executive Committee, a distinction that also includes the SBC president and the WMU national president, positions currently held by Ed Litton and Connie Dixon.
In 2011 and 2017 Yeats served at the annual meeting both as recording secretary and registration secretary in place of Jim Wells, who was absent those years due to health issues. Yeats presented the registration report as Wells recovered from surgery in 2012, with Don Currence as acting registration secretary the rest of the time, appointed to do so by the Executive Committee.
Twenty years as a pastor in Texas and Kansas preceded Yeats’ 1996-1997 tenure as director of communications for the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana and editor of the Indiana Baptist newspaper. From 1997-2005 he served as editor for the Oklahoma state paper, the Baptist Messenger. Prior to moving to Missouri, he was also the director of communications and public policy for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, which included Cooperative Program promotion and working alongside state legislators.
A new recording secretary will be among those officers elected when Southern Baptists gather in Anaheim, Calif., June 12-15. Nominations for it as well as president, first vice president, second vice president and registration secretary can be made leading up to and at the meeting. Thus far only two have been made public, California pastor Victor Chayasirisobhon for first vice president and Florida pastor Willy Rice for president.
Lifeway trustees elect first African American woman trustee chair
By Carol Pipes/Lifeway
NASHVILLE (BP) – For the first time in its 130-year history, Lifeway Christian Resources will have an African American woman as trustee chair. Missie Branch was elected Tuesday (March 8) by Lifeway trustees during a special-called meeting. 
Branch is assistant dean of students to women and director of graduate life at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. A member of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, N.C., Branch began her service on the board in 2017.
Lifeway CEO Ben Mandrell shared his excitement about this historic moment and praised Branch’s leadership ability, character and love for the local church.
“Missie’s character, commitment to the local church, and investment in tomorrow’s ministry leaders give me confidence that she’s the person to lead our board,” Mandrell said. “I’m excited and thankful for her historic appointment as the first African American female to chair our board.
“Missie is a bright person with a tremendous amount of insight and an inner strength from the Lord. I believe she will be a strong, unifying leader. She is a great friend to Lifeway, and I look forward to our deepened partnership.”
Branch expressed her appreciation for the board and their trust in her to lead them well.
“I am humbled by the confidence of my fellow board members,” Branch said. “Leading alongside a group like ours is an honor. When asked to join the board a few years ago, I never anticipated an opportunity like this. I love serving an organization whose mission is directly linked to the ministry and mission of the local church. I’m determined to work with my fellow board members as we seek to honor the Lord and serve our convention.”
Branch was elected vice chair during the trustee meeting held Jan. 25. She will now fill the role vacated by Greg Kannady, who stepped down as chair due to a recent health issue. While Kannady plans to continue his service as a board member, he shared with trustees via email he felt it would be wise to replace him as board chair.
Mandrell offered his appreciation for Kannady’s continued commitment to Lifeway. “We’re all praying for Greg and his family as they face this health challenge together,” Mandrell said.
Trustees also elected Luther McDaniel, CFO at Empirical Capital Partners, to serve as vice chair. McDaniel has served on the board since 2016. He’s a member of First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, Tenn.
“Luther McDaniel’s financial and business expertise is invaluable as he steps into the vice chair role,” Mandrell said. “I’m grateful for his leadership and for the other men and women who faithfully serve on our board.”
Ben Posey, pastor of First Baptist Church in Leroy, Ala., will continue to serve as recording secretary.
“I so appreciate Ben’s servant leadership and devotion to serving Christ and His church,” Mandrell said. “The church he pastors is similar to a large majority of Southern Baptist churches – churches that rely on the resources Lifeway provides. It’s indispensable to have pastors like Ben providing feedback and speaking into those resources.”
The next Lifeway trustee meeting is scheduled for August 29-30, 2022.
