SBC Elects Willy Rice as New President at Annual Meeting

Florida pastor Willy Rice was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention at the denomination's annual meeting in June 2026, marking a new chapter for the nation's largest Protestant denomination.

Delegates gathered for the annual meeting voted Rice into the role after a competitive process. Rice, who leads Calvary Church in Clearwater, Florida, has been a prominent voice in SBC circles for years.

The meeting also saw thousands of delegates vote to advance a formal measure strengthening the ban on women serving as pastors. The proposal passed by a wide margin, signaling where the majority of the convention stands on the issue.

The SBC has faced internal debates over church governance and gender roles for several years. Supporters of the measure say it brings clarity to the denomination's doctrinal position. Critics argue it could push out churches that have taken a different approach.

Rice will now lead a denomination of roughly 13 million members across more than 47,000 churches. His election comes at a time when the SBC is also grappling with questions about declining membership and how to reach younger generations.

Church attendance across the United States has shown signs of stabilizing after years of decline tied to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to recent reports from Christian media outlets. But experts say economic pressures, including inflation and rising costs of living, are likely to increase demand for food banks and community support programs run by churches through 2026.

The SBC annual meeting drew thousands of messengers from churches across the country. Discussions covered a range of topics beyond leadership, including international missions, church planting, and the denomination's response to ongoing debates about artificial intelligence in ministry.