Craig Carlisle to be nominated 1st vice president for Southern Baptist Convention

By Michael Gryboski, Editor Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Pastor Craig Carlisle is expected to be nominated for the position of first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention at the denomination’s annual meeting in June.

Carlisle serves as the second vice president of the SBC and as the director of missions for the Alabama-based Etowah Baptist Association. Last November, he finished his term as president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention.

University of Mobile President Charles W. Smith told The Alabama Baptist earlier this week that his decision to nominate Carlisle “comes from a clear conviction about Craig’s character, his proven leadership and his heart for Southern Baptists.”

“It also reflects my deep appreciation for the kind of leader who invests in the next generation — something we see firsthand in our work at the University of Mobile. I believe he is uniquely suited to serve in this role at this time,” Smith said.

“Craig would serve the Southern Baptist Convention well as first vice president because he reflects the very best of who we are as Southern Baptists. He loves Jesus, treasures God’s Word, and spent more than 30 years faithfully pastoring three Southern Baptist churches.”

Carlisle was ordained by Twelfth Street Baptist Church of Gadsden in 1987 and later served as pastor for the congregation from 2008 to 2017. He was also pastor of Central Park Baptist Church of Decatur from 1991 to 2008 and pastor of Munford Baptist Church from 1987 to 1991.

Carlisle was twice elected president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention, serving two one-year terms from 2023 to 2025. He ran unopposed for his second term in 2024.

Derek Allen, senior pastor of First Baptist Church Tillman’s Corner of Mobile, who nominated Carlisle for reelection in 2024, stated at the time that Carlisle “will lead us well because he has led us well.”

“Craig embodies the leadership we need in this moment,” Allen said in 2024. “Craig sees and is grateful for the unique way God has blessed our family of churches. However, Craig sees this is a moment where we need to recommit ourselves to the Great Commission.”

Last June, Carlisle was elected second vice president of the SBC, receiving 56.46% of the 6,668 votes cast. He defeated Tommy Mann, pastor of Highland Terrace Baptist Church of Greenville, Texas, who received 30.85% of the vote, and Christopher Rhodes, pastor of Dover Baptist Temple in Dover, Ohio, who received 12.09%.

The SBC Annual Meeting is scheduled for June 7–10 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.