Willy Rice highlights SBC’s abuse response efforts during Executive Committee meeting

Willy Rice, newly elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention, used his first report to the SBC Executive Committee to emphasize the Convention’s progress in addressing sexual abuse. Speaking during the fall meeting in Nashville, Rice highlighted the positive steps Southern Baptists have taken to create safer environments for worship and ministry.

Since assuming his role in June, Rice has faced criticism for past comments regarding the SBC’s handling of abuse cases. In 2025, after the Department of Justice closed its investigation into the Convention, he posted on social media that there was “no systemic sexual abuse crisis or coverup” in the SBC, calling it a “snipe hunt” to “destroy good people and gain power.” This statement sparked strong reactions from abuse survivors and critics.

Rice chose to focus on the progress made rather than past controversies. He told The Baptist Paper that the EC meeting was the “right place” to address the issue positively, noting that Southern Baptists are “taking extraordinary steps” to address the challenge. He emphasized the proactive measures the Convention has taken to protect individuals and promote accountability.

Since 2021, MinistrySafe has reported that over 5,200 Baptist churches have trained more than “a quarter million” staff members, volunteers, and parents. SBC entities have also provided training, equipped new church plants with resources, and promoted prevention and response initiatives. Rice highlighted these efforts as significant strides in safeguarding communities.

The SBC Executive Committee’s decision to hire Jeff Dalrymple as director of Abuse Prevention and Response was another positive development, according to Rice. He expressed encouragement for the work being done, the resources provided, and the support offered to churches. He noted that few organizations have taken the responsibility as seriously as the Southern Baptist Convention.

Rice, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, Florida, has invited Dalrymple and his team to host a training session at his church early next year for local ministry leaders. He urged churches to practice ongoing training, install proper protocols, and take accusations of abuse seriously. He called for immediate reporting to law enforcement and full cooperation with legal investigations.

Source: Read the original report