SBC President Willy Rice Seeks Consensus on Truth and Unity Amendment Ahead of 2027 Vote

Willy Rice, senior pastor of Calvary Church in Clearwater, Florida, was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention on Tuesday, according to WUSF. Delegates voted him into office with 58% of the ballots. The Baptist Paper describes Rice as a Florida pastor with a deep connection to the denomination rooted in his family’s history.

In a Baptist Paper interview, Rice emphasized the importance of unity among Southern Baptists regardless of geographic location. He said church cooperation is necessary for large-scale missions and initiatives that individual congregations cannot undertake alone, and he described the presidency as a position that serves the people rather than the institutions (John 17:21, a picture of unity that is sought across differences).

Rice’s stated goals include a focus on the anniversary of the Great Commission. The Christian Index reports that he mentioned an evangelistic “thrust” linked to the 2,000th anniversary, while The Baptist Paper gives the anniversary as the “2000th.” The Baptist Paper also reports that Rice’s vision includes ensuring that every person in North America hears the gospel in a meaningful way.

The Christian Index reports that Rice has spoken with the Illinois Baptist about moving forward with the Truth and Unity (Mohler) Amendment, which will face a second vote in Indianapolis in June 2027. The source notes that a similar amendment to limit the pastoral office to men failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in Indianapolis. The report does not give the vote totals for either measure.

According to the Christian Index, Rice aims to lay the groundwork for his first address to the SBC Executive Committee in late September. He plans to spend his first year addressing questions about limitations on the use of the word “pastor” and strengthening “broad convictional consensus.” Rice believes there is broad consensus among Southern Baptists but acknowledges the need to address legitimate concerns about the amendment’s meaning and application (Proverbs 18:17, which shows the value of hearing a matter fully before deciding it).

Rice also referred to his four-year delay in election, according to the Christian Index, and to the ongoing debate over relocating SBC Annual Meetings to the Midwest and other regions outside the deep South.