Willy Rice’s Election Signals a Conservative Turn for the Southern Baptist Convention

At the SBC’s 2026 annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, Pastor Willy Rice of Calvary Church in Clearwater was elected president with roughly 57 % of the vote, defeating South Carolina pastor Josh Powell. The Center for Baptist Leadership celebrated the result as a step toward “real conservative reform and renewal.” Rice warned the denomination could become “defunct like Blockbuster or Kodak” without cultural resistance.

Newsweek

The SBC has faced accusations of “wokeness” on race, gender, and politics, and internal debate over sexual-abuse reforms that some leaders claim have gone “off the tracks.” Rice, a 35-year veteran pastor with advanced theological training, withdrew from a 2022 presidential race after a deacon’s sexual-sin case. He was backed by the Center for Baptist Leadership, whose leader William Wolfe—formerly a Trump-administration staffer—endorsed him.

Newsweek

Since 2021, Rice warned against the “unhealthy co-mingling of religion and politics.” In April 2024, he condemned a Trump-era image that portrayed the former president as Christ-like. He also withdrew from the 2022 SBC presidential race after a deacon’s sexual-sin case, citing a need for leadership clarity.

Newsweek

Rice’s term will affect doctrinal debates such as bans on women pastors, the SBC’s political alignment with Trump-era policies, and the handling of sexual-abuse allegations, where he questions activist-driven reforms. He emphasizes “faithfulness over cultural relevance,” warning the church could become obsolete without a clear vision.

Newsweek

Rice warned the SBC could become “defunct like Blockbuster or Kodak” without cultural resistance. He defined unity as “listening…telling me why you’re bothered.” On Trump, he said many appreciate the administration but worship belongs to God alone. He urged “more accurate thinking” on leadership to avoid overreach and criticized the sexual-abuse reform agenda as driven by activists.

Newsweek

Critics argue Rice’s push to curb sexual-abuse reforms could weaken victim support and accountability. Wolfe’s immigration comment—rejecting minorities for his children—has drawn racial-insensitivity accusations. Some see Rice’s criticism of the reform movement as minimizing the seriousness of abuse, and the SBC remains split on political ties to Trump.

Newsweek

• “Unity is not telling people to hush. It’s listening, it’s sitting down and saying, ‘Tell me why you’re bothered.’” — Willy Rice, SBC president-elect

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• “We don’t need Donald Trump to save us.” — Willy Rice

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• “This is garbage!” — Willy Rice

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• “We were challenged to think more accurately about our leadership structure.” — Willy Rice

Newsweek

Rice will face votes on women-pastor bans, decisions on scaling sexual-abuse reforms, and debates over political advocacy as the SBC seeks to rebuild organizational trust and define its future direction.

Newsweek