By Aaron Weaver and Lauren Lamb
DECATUR, Ga. — The CBF Nominating Committee has selected Jason Callahan to serve as Moderator-Elect in 2025-2026. Callahan previously served two terms on the CBF Governing Board from 2015-2021, including chairing the Finance Committee.
Callahan has served as chief human resources officer for several corporations and worked as a financial leader within a Fortune 400 corporation. In 2024, Callahan co-founded Empowerment Journey Consulting, which provides fractional executive services and consulting for business transformation and growth.
Callahan is a graduate of Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business and earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of North Texas. A longtime lay leader at First Baptist Church, Memphis, Tenn., Callahan recently relocated to Oklahoma City, where he lives with his wife, Emily, President and CEO of Feed the Children.
CBF Executive Coordinator Paul Baxley shared his support to the Nominating Committee for their work and selection of Callahan.
“I am so grateful that the Nominating Committee has asked Jason Callahan to serve as our Moderator-Elect,” Baxley said. “Jason’s experiences as a lay leader in congregations, in his professional life and previous service on the CBF Governing Board uniquely prepare him to offer important leadership to our Fellowship. I know he believes deeply in the mission and ministry of CBF and I welcome the way all of his gifts and experiences will make our Fellowship stronger in the years ahead. I look forward to leading with him and learning from him.”
CBF Nominating Committee Chair Randolph Parks also shared his thankfulness to the Nominating Committee members for their diligent work.
“The CBF Nominating Committee is excited to have the caliber of committed churchman and lay person we have in Jason Callahan as our next Moderator-Elect of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship,” Park said. “After several years of having accomplished clergy serving as Moderator, Jason continues the heritage of CBF’s roots—which had strong lay leadership from the very beginning. Jason brings seasoned experience and understanding of CBF as well as a strong entrepreneurial and business background from his own personal work life.”
The CBF Nominating Committee will present Callahan for approval from the General Assembly, June 24-26, in St. Louis, Mo., along with additional nominees to serve on the Fellowship’s Governing Board, Missions Council and Ministries Council.
Additionally, the CBF Governing Board will present nominee recommendations to serve on the Nominating Committee, Council on Endorsement, as well as the board of the CBF Foundation. At the conclusion of the 2025 General Assembly, current Moderator-Elect Tanya Banks will assume the role of Moderator, the Fellowship’s highest-ranking office held in 2024 by Juan Garcia.
Nominating Committee Report
Governance
- Moderator Elect– Jason Callahan, Laity (Owner, Empowerment Journey Consulting), First Baptist Church, Memphis, Tenn.
Governing Board
- Carita Brown, Military Chaplain, Sharon Baptist Church, Baltimore, Md.
- Jason Cogdill, Laity (Attorney), College Park Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, N.C.
- Charles Hamilton, Senior Pastor, New Morning Light Baptist Church, Conley, Ga.
- Melissa Hatfield, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Jefferson City, Mo.
- Megan Scott, Laity (Consultant), Spring Creek Baptist Church, OKC, Peoria, Ill.
Missions Council
- Kris Aaron, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Bristol, Va.
- Terri Byrd, Mobilization Pastor, Johns Creek Baptist Church, Alpharetta, Ga.
- Jo Kirkendall, Retired Healthcare Chaplain, Biloxi, Miss.
- Anna Parish, Seminary Student (Ministerial Intern), Hayes Barton Baptist Church, Raleigh, N.C.
- Teruco Tynes, Laity (Marketing and Technology), Kemp Road Ministries, Nassau, Bahamas
- Janie Wallace, Retired HR professional, Ball Camp Baptist Church, Knoxville, Tenn.
Ministries Council
- Melissa Bryson Dowling, Chaplain of William Jewell College, Second Baptist Church, Liverty, Mo.
- James Dixon, Senior Pastor, Greater Faith Baptist Fellowship, Gainesville, Fla.
- Debby Haralson, College Director of Community Engagement, Southside Baptist Church, Birmingham, Ala.
- J.D. McDonald, Pastor, Emmaus Fellowship, Johnson City, Tenn.
- John Parker, Retired Financial Advisor, First Baptist Church, Middlesboro, Ky.
- Justin Sizemore, Associate Pastor to Youth and Young Adults, Highland Baptist Church, Louisville, Ky.
- Chris Thomas, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Wilson, N.C.
Nominating Committee
- Anyra Cano, Director of Programs and Outreach, FSW, Dallas, Texas
- Josh Hunt, Associate Coordinator, CBF of South Carolina, Anderson S.C.
- Kristin McAtee, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Columbia, Mo.
- Natasha Nedrick, Adzudzor, Minister of Discipleship, Central Baptist Church, St. Louis, Mo.
- Greg Smith, Emeritus CBF Field Personnel, Carthage, Ark.
- Amy Starr Russell, Associate Pastor of Children and Families, First Baptist Church, Greensboro, N.C.
- Kyle Tubbs, State Coordinator, CBF Oklahoma, Norman, Okla.
CBF Council on Endorsement
- Angel Lee, ACPE CPE Certified Educator, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Winston-Salem, N.C.
- Stephanie McLeskey, University Chaplain, Mars Hill University, Mars Hill, N.C.
- Renato Santos, Assistant Vice President, Pastoral Services, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami, Fla.
CBF Foundation
- Sarah McGregor, Laity (Director, Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC), First Baptist Church, Greenville, S.C.
- Ben Winder, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Fla.
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