Arizonans elected to SBC trustee, committee posts

Five Arizonans were elected as members of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention and trustees of institutions during the SBC annual meeting June 14-15 in Anaheim, California.

Dan Gutierrez, pastor of Drexel Heights Baptist Church in Tucson, was elected to a trustee term expiring in 2027 with Guidestone Financial Resources. He replaces Dennis Adams, who was ineligible for another term.

Brian LeStourgeon, pastor of Hillside Baptist Church in Phoenix, was elected to a trustee term expiring in 2028 with Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He replaces Mark Mucklow, who was ineligible for another term.

Luke Panter, pastor of Grace Fellowship in Maricopa, was elected to a second term expiring in 2027 on the Executive Committee.

Janet Shrader, a member of Casas Church in Tucson, was elected to a second trustee term expiring in 2026 with Lifeway Christian Resources.

Wally DeShon, a member of HiWay Baptist Church in Mesa, was elected to a second trustee term with Gateway Seminary.

Executive Committee members and directors/trustees of boards, institutions, commissions and standing committees of the convention are nominated by the Committee on Committees and elected by messsengers. Arizona’s two members on the 2022-2023 Committee on Nominations were Andrew Marquez, pastor of North Swan Baptist Church in Tucson, and Ricky Aulds, a member of Mercy Hill Church in Phoenix.

Prior to the annual meeting, SBC President Bart Barber appointed the Committee on Committees, which was tasked with nominating members to serve on the 2023-2024 Committee on Nominations. The two Arizonans on the Committee on Committees were Donna Guillott, a member of Green Valley Baptist Church in Green Valley, and Josue Castro, pastor of Tierra Fertil in Yuma.

Elected at this year’s annual meeting to serve on the 2023-2024 Committee on Nominations were Jessica Parrow, a member of Mission Valley Church in Phoenix, and Robert Bedell, a member of Sabino Road Baptist Church in Tucson.