Pastor Willy Rice Elected President of Southern Baptist Convention

Pastor Willy Rice has been elected as the president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) after gaining support from a former official’s staffer in President Donald Trump’s administration. Despite this backing, Rice has not always been an ardent supporter of Trump.

Rice’s election signifies an ideological shift towards conservatism within the nation’s largest Protestant denomination. He has criticized the crackdown on sexual abuse in the church, arguing that the social justice movement has overreached. Rice has championed conservative resurgence and cautioned that the church risks becoming obsolete, similar to companies like Blockbuster or Kodak. His criticism of “woke” ideologies has resonated with certain factions.

“We should be wary of becoming irrelevant due to overcompromising with social trends,” Rice stated, emphasizing that adherence to foundational beliefs outweighs adapting to cultural changes.

Who Is Pastor Willy Rice?

Rice serves as the senior pastor of Calvary Church in Clearwater, Florida. With decades of ministry experience, he was elected SBC president with approximately 57 percent of the vote during the 2026 annual meeting in Orlando. His election is viewed as a victory for conservatives within the SBC, a group that contends the denomination has veered too far towards liberal positions on race, gender, and politics.

In speeches, Rice warned of a “cultural riptide” influencing SBC leadership. He has advocated for banning women pastors, tightening theological boundaries, and critiquing reforms connected to broader cultural concerns.

Rice previously withdrew from a 2022 presidential bid due to revelations regarding sexual misconduct by an ordained deacon in his church. He explained that the deacon repented after his actions, which occurred before becoming a Christian. This experience led to a restructuring of leadership to oppose all forms of sexual abuse.

Since 2004, Rice has led Calvary Church and holds a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He graduated from Samford University in 1985. Rice, alongside his wife Cheryl, is a father of three and a grandfather of six.

Trump Administration Influence

Rice’s win was supported by influential conservative networks tied to the Trump administration, including the Center for Baptist Leadership. William Wolfe, a former Trump administration official, endorsed Rice, citing a desire for conservative reform within the SBC.

Wolfe encouraged the church to address immigration issues, infamously expressing a desire for his white children not to become minorities. The remarks have contributed to ongoing debates about the SBC’s alignment with political figures like Trump.

“Unity within the church requires dialogue, not silence,” Rice emphasized, acknowledging the complex views within the SBC ranks.

Rice’s Views on Trump

Rice’s perspective on Trump combines theological critique with acknowledgment of the President’s political support among Christians. In April, Rice condemned a social media post that likened Trump to a Christ-like figure, stressing that God alone deserves worship.

Following the Capitol attack in 2021, Rice critiqued the evangelical movement’s fervor for Trump. He warned against “unhealthy and dangerous” religious-political entanglements and cautioned against idolizing political figures.

“We don’t need Donald Trump to save us,” Rice asserted. “Our focus should be on God’s calling and missions.”

Criticism of Sexual Abuse Reforms

Rice has emerged as a controversial figure regarding the SBC’s debate on sexual abuse reforms. He criticized efforts to address abuse allegations, claiming they have been diverted by activists with progressive agendas. He emphasized concern over how reform initiatives have been managed and their effectiveness in helping victims.

“We’ve witnessed slander and wasted resources, with no clear solution in sight,” Rice commented, urging a balanced approach.

Future Challenges and Leadership Vision

Rice’s presidency coincides with a pivotal time for the SBC, marked by membership decline and internal strife. Key issues for his term include:

• Doctrinal debates focusing on bans against women pastors.
• Tensions over political alignment with figures like Trump.
• Responses to sexual abuse claims and potential reform.
• Efforts to rebuild organizational trust among disenchanted members.

Rice aims to redirect the SBC towards core convictions while resisting external cultural pressures. He warned that success grounded in compromise could lead to greater defeat. How this vision affects unity and policy within the SBC will determine its future trajectory.