Pastor Search Updates
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:5–6
June 28, 2026
Chandler M. Snyder called as the 15th Senior Pastor of Hunter Street Baptist Church.
June 17, 2026
The Senior Pastor Search Committee (PSC) presents a video interview with Chandler M. Snyder.
June 16, 2026
The Senior Pastor Search Committee (PSC) nominates Chandler M. Snyder to become the next Senior Pastor of Hunter Street Baptist Church.
May 20, 2026
The Senior Pastor Search Committee (PSC) remains committed to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the Committee’s work and would like to share that significant progress has been made since the last update on April 27, 2026. The PSC is proceeding with thoughtful care and sensitivity toward everyone involved throughout the search process.
The Committee maintains its commitment to the search process and to meet regularly for prayer. We continue to ask for your faithful ongoing prayers for Pastor Buddy and Tricia as well as our next Pastor, his family, the PSC, and the body of believers known as Hunter Street Baptist Church.
Let’s celebrate over the coming weeks what God has done in and through the faithful ministry of Pastor Buddy and Tricia. God has blessed our church abundantly since 1907 and we encourage you to make every effort to participate in the celebration on June 14, 2026 for Pastor Buddy’s 40 years of leadership, pastoral care and committed presentation of God’s Word!
Sincerely,
Senior Pastor Search Committee
April 27, 2026
The Senior Pastor Search Committee (PSC) would like to share that the PSC continues to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and have made meaningful progress since our update in March 2026. The PSC is working diligently with mindful protection of all parties involved.
We continue to meet regularly for prayer and remain committed to our process and ask for your continued prayers for our next Pastor, his family, the PSC and the body of believers known as Hunter Street Baptist Church!
Sincerely,
Senior Pastor Search Committee
March 22, 2026
The Pastor Search Committee continues to meet regularly as we seek the Lord’s will and depend upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the process of identifying the next pastor of our church. We are prayerfully moving forward with humility and discernment, trusting the Lord to lead us each step of the way.
At this stage, the committee has narrowed the field and is now engaged in meaningful conversations, extensive interviews, and careful evaluation of several candidates.
We are deeply grateful for the ongoing faithful prayers and encouragement of our church family. Please continue to pray that the Lord will grant the committee wisdom, unity, and clarity as we seek the man He is preparing to shepherd our church in the days ahead.
February 16, 2026
The Pastor Search Committee continues to journey together in unity and prayer, placing our trust fully in the Lord as we follow a careful and Spirit-led process. We are seeking to listen faithfully to the voice of the Holy Spirit, trusting God’s timing and provision, as we discern the pastor He is preparing to shepherd our church.
As shared in our last update, the Committee’s candidate work would begin in earnest during the first quarter of 2026. We are pleased to report that the Committee has been diligent to consider the many recommendations from our church members and from trusted pastors, state leaders, and national leaders across our denomination.
We are now moving into the next phase. While many recommended individuals are qualified and would serve our church well, we are pursuing those where we have discerned the clearest direction from the Holy Spirit. Because this process requires confidentiality, we cannot share specific details.
As we’ve said before, this is more than a search—it is a spiritual journey. What we need most now is humility, unity, prayer, and deep trust in the Lord. God is faithful, and He already knows the pastor who will lead and love our church family. Thank you for continuing to pray as we trust Him together.
December 22, 2025
The Pastor Search Committee (PSC) would like to inform the congregation that the nomination of names for Senior Pastor of Hunter Street Baptist Church will end on December 31, 2025. This will allow the third party partner and the PSC to activate the search for the next pastor in the First Quarter 2026. The PSC would like to thank each member that has submitted names. We wish you a very Merry Christmas celebration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
November 20, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
(Additional information will be added as it becomes available.)
As you review these frequently asked questions, the Senior Pastor Search Committee requests that you consider each question and answer through the lens of God’s Word. To guide you, please consider the following passages:
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8a
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3: 5-6
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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 16:7May we follow that example, seeking God’s heart and guidance every step of the way.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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)
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Church members may find important information on the church website and the church app under “Pastor Search Updates.”
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Church members were able to submit a name(s) using the form on the church website or church app, found under the “Pastor Search Updates” tab. Names submitted were provided to the Senior Pastor Search Committee.
The nomination of names for Senior Pastor of Hunter Street Baptist Church ended on December 31, 2025. This allowed the third party partner and the PSC to activate the search for the next pastor in the First Quarter 2026.
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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
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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.
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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
October 12
Hunter Street began the 40 Days of Prayer on October 12 and continues to pray daily.
Senior Pastor Search Committee
David Long, Chairman of Deacons
Allen Taylor, Chairman of the Finance Committee
Chip Colee, Chairman of the Ministry Development Team
Rick Farrar, Chairman of the Personnel 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
*At-Large & alternate committee members were recommended by the Personnel Committee and voted on by the church
September 24
Pastor Search Committee nominations closed
September 14-24
Pastor Search Committee nominations are open. Pick up a nomination form in the Church Office.
September 14
"I know that you may be asking, well, where do we go from here? I have an answer for that. You will continue in the grace of God. The strength of this church is never rested in one man. It is always rested in the unchanging faithfulness of God.” – Buddy Gray
Hunter Street is not a building but A people.
We are a people who love God and others—and we are a church family that dearly loves our pastor, who has shepherded our congregation for almost 40 years.
On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Pastor Buddy Gray announced that he would be stepping down from full-time pastoral ministry in the summer of 2026. Even though this is the closing of a chapter in the rich history of our church, it marks the beginning of a new chapter in the story of what God is doing in and through the people known as Hunter Street.
We celebrate the time Buddy has spent with us, and are excited to see what the future holds for Hunter Street as we continue to preach the Word, serve with love, take the gospel to the nations, and worship our faithful, sovereign God.
"And when I step aside, I want you to remember that the same God who has carried this church now for 119 years will still carry you by His grace and for His glory. I believe that the greatest days of the life of our church, the greatest days of Kingdom ministry, are just ahead of us. To Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever.” – Buddy Gray