Our goal is to seek the man whom God has equipped, prepared, and called to be the next pastor of Hunter Street Baptist Church. This is a deeply spiritual process that involves our entire congregation.

Prayer by our church family is essential. This search is not about finding the man we want, but the man God has chosen.

When the prophet Samuel was sent to anoint Israel’s next king, David was not the obvious choice from a human perspective. Yet he was God’s choice.

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’”
— 1 Samuel 16:7

May we follow that example, seeking God’s heart and guidance every step of the way.

The Senior Pastor Search Committee is established by the Hunter Street Bylaws to lead the spiritual process of identifying the next Senior Pastor. The committee is composed of:

• Chairman of Deacons

• Chairperson of the Ministry Development Team

• Chairperson of the Finance Committee

• Chairperson of the Personnel Committee

• Executive Pastor

• Four “at-large” members of the church

• Two alternate “at-large” members

The four “at-large” members and two alternates are recommended by the Personnel Committee and approved by a vote of the church.

Hunter Street Baptist Church Bylaws; Section 3: Senior Pastor

Duties of the Senior Pastor

The Senior Pastor is primarily to be a teacher of the Word of God — the Bible.  He is to teach and exhort by precept and example.  His goal is to help mature believers through insightful and accurate presentation and proclamation of the Word, equipping them to effectively perform works of ministries within the Body of Christ.He provides leadership to the staff and membership.

Election of Senior Pastor

The Senior Pastor shall be chosen and called by the Church whenever a vacancy occurs.  His election shall take place at a special Church meeting called specifically for that purpose.

Senior Pastor Search Committee

When a vacancy in the Senior Pastor position exists, a Senior Pastor Search Committee shall be established by the Personnel Committee with Church membership approval.  The Search Committee will be responsible for screening all resumes, interviewing applicants, and confirming the qualifications and experience of top candidates.  Their recommendation will constitute a nomination.

The Senior Pastor Search Committee will be comprised of the Executive Pastor, Chairperson of the Personnel Committee, Chairman of the Deacon Ministry, Chairperson of the Ministry Development Committee, Chairperson of the Finance Committee, and four (4) members of the Church.  Two (2) alternates will be chosen if for any reason a vacancy occurs.

Once the Senior Pastor Search Committee has selected a candidate, that candidate shall preach in view of a call at all scheduled Sunday morning services.  The search committee will then bring their recommendation to the Church members at the end of each service. The affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of those present is necessary for an affirmed choice of the Senior Pastor.  The Senior Pastor, thus elected, shall serve until the relationship is terminated by his or the Church's request pursuant to the following section.

From September 14–24, the Personnel Committee invited the church body to submit suggestions for “at-large” members. The committee, committed to Scripture, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, used this input to select the candidates.

Selected members were invited to serve and asked to pray earnestly about their decision.

On Sunday, October 12, 2025, during both worship services, the church voted on the Personnel Committee’s recommendation to seat the 9 committee members and 2 alternates.

The members are:

David Long, Chairman of Deacons and Chairman of the Senior Pastor Search Committee

Rick Farrar, Chairman of Personnel Committee

Chip Colee, Chairman of Ministry Development Team

Allen Taylor, Chairman of Finance Committee

Bill Decker, Executive Pastor

Brad Brown, Member At-Large

Stephen Burns, Member At-Large

Wendy Heitschmidt, Member At-Large

Angela Jones, Member At-Large

Melissa Gleason, Alternate

Tres Sprinkle, Alternate

The congregation plays a vital role in the process through the following:

• Prayer and fasting — this is the most important responsibility for our church family and each church member. A 40-day prayer guide has been provided and is available on the church website and the church app. Please use this prayer guide throughout the process. Members are asked to pray daily for the Church, Committee, and future pastor. (ongoing)

• Providing input on “at-large” members of the Senior Pastor Search Committee (completed).

• Submitting names for consideration through the church website and the church app. The form to submit a name may be found under the “Pastor Search Updates” tab.(ongoing)

• Voting whether to affirm the candidate recommended by the Senior Pastor Search Committee. (future)

Church members may find important information on the church website and the church app under “Pastor Search Updates.”

Any church member may submit a name(s) using the form on the church website or church app, found under the “Pastor Search Updates” tab. Names submitted will be provided to the Senior Pastor Search Committee.

Guided by the Holy Spirit and committed to prayer, the Senior Pastor Search Committee will take the following steps:

• Receive candidate suggestions from the congregation

• Spend meaningful time together in bible study and prayer

• Participate in training exercises and teaching opportunities to properly understand the role and responsibilities of a pastor search committee

• Conduct extensive evaluations of potential candidates, focusing on:

  • Biblical qualifications

  • Shepherding qualities

  • Excellence in preaching and teaching

  • Theological and doctrinal soundness

  • Leadership and vision

  • Strong evidence of spiritual gifts essential for a pastor

According to church bylaws:

• The Senior Pastor Search Committee will recommend a candidate to the church.

• The candidate will “preach in view of a call” on a designated Sunday morning at all regularly scheduled services.

• After each service, the congregation will vote whether to affirm the recommendation of the Senior Pastor Search Committee.

I Timothy 3 and Titus 1 have lists of the qualifications of a pastor. The PDF link below is a summary and side by side view of the qualifications listed in each book.

Qualifications for a pastor