“That California is fast taking its place of leadership in the affairs of the Southern Baptist Convention is indicated by the list of the following names of men and women who were elected to serve on the boards, agencies, and standing committees of the convention.”
Those were the opening words of an article titled “Many Californians Serve Convention,” published in the June 9, 1949, edition of the California Southern Baptist newspaper.
Seventy-six years later, California Baptists continue to serve and lead across the Southern Baptist Convention. The names and ministries may have changed over the decades, but Californians’ commitment to serve has not.
The 1949 article highlighted approximately 28 Californians serving on national boards, commissions, and committees. Today, more than 35 California Baptists have been elected to serve across the SBC, and we had one special missionary appointment.
The following Californians are currently serving in national SBC leadership, trustee, and committee roles. Together, they represent churches from across the Golden State and a shared commitment to advancing the mission of Southern Baptists at every level.
Trustees and Entity Leadership
- Brady, Rick (Fresno) | Gateway Seminary
- Chayasirisobhon, Victor (Anaheim) | Gateway Seminary
- Cho, Kevin N. (La Cañada) | New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
- Cordich, Michael (Glendora) | Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Dockery, Anthony (San Dimas) | SBC Executive Committee
- Hernandez, Danny R. (Diamond Bar) | The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Ho, Garrett J. (Alhambra) | Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
- Hughes, Sandra (Lake Isabella) | Woman’s Missionary Union
- Jarboe, Jonathan (Ontario) | North American Mission Board, Chair
- Jones, Stephen A. (Alameda) | The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Kell, Philip W. (Fresno) | Gateway Seminary
- Kwong, Ross (Bellflower) | Lifeway Christian Resources
- Lee, Gideon I. (Milpitas) | SBC Executive Committee
- Lee, John (HaHyung) (Artesia) | Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
- McCann, Young S. (San Luis Obispo) | Gateway Seminary
- Mero, Anne M. (McCloud) | International Mission Board
- Noh, Samuel (Anaheim) | Gateway Seminary
- Park, Nam (Simi Valley) | Gateway Seminary
- Pavlian, Patrick “Pat” (Highland) | GuideStone Financial Resources
- Rudolph, Dustin (La Mesa) | Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Selvaraj, Wilfred (San Francisco) | Gateway Seminary
- Young, Casey B. (Los Angeles) | Gateway Seminary
- Zunigha, Brian (Riverside) | International Mission Board
Newly Elected in Orlando
- Mooney, Jeff J. (Riverside) | The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Reed, Jason (Hemet) | Committee on Nominations
- Saunders, Dustin J. (La Mesa) | Gateway Seminary
- Tidwell, Justin (Beaumont) | Gateway Seminary
- Wilson, Jim (Menifee) | Committee on Nominations
Annual Meeting Committee Service
- Chute, Anthony | Committee on Nominations
- Crews, Gavin | Committee on Nominations
- Dockery, Anthony | Credentials Committee
- Hawks, Melody | Committee on Committees; Registration Committee
- James, Kevin | Credentials Committee
- Villegas, Tito | Committee on Committees
- Woo, William N. | Committee on the Order of Business
Californians also rejoiced in the commissioning of Stephen Pan of Redeemer Baptist Church in Riverside. Pan was among the International Mission Board missionaries commissioned during the annual meeting and will serve in the Asia-Pacific Rim. In materials distributed during the commissioning service, Pan asked Southern Baptists to pray that the Lord would “provide deep friendships in my future city.”
Our 1949 California Baptists forebearers were just establishing our place in the broader Southern Baptist Convention. Seventy-six years later, California Baptists are firmly established as trusted leaders and partners in the life of our national family.
The names in this article represent only a portion of the Californians currently serving, leading, and “going” to advance the Great Commission through Southern Baptist ministries here and around the world. And just as the author of Many Californians Serve Convention reminded readers in 1949, the encouragement remains as relevant today as it was then:
“Certainly every member of every group will need the earnest, sincere prayers of all our people.”
