Pastor Willy Rice’s Election as SBC President and His Influential Role

Pastor Willy Rice Elected as SBC President

Pastor Willy Rice has been elected as president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the nation’s largest Protestant denomination. His election signifies an ideological move toward the right within the organization. Known for his conservative stance, Rice has been critical of the social justice movement in the church and has advocated for a renewed conservative resurgence. He warned voters that without careful action, the church could become obsolete. His criticism of the church’s ‘woke’ culture and his conservative positions resonated with many within the denomination.

About Pastor Willy Rice

Willy Rice is the senior pastor of Calvary Church in Clearwater, Florida, and he has a long history as a Southern Baptist leader. He won the SBC presidency with 57% of the vote during the 2026 annual meeting in Orlando. Rice’s victory represents a significant triumph for a conservative faction within the SBC, opposing what they view as liberal shifts on race, gender, and politics. Citing a cultural ‘riptide,’ Rice has argued that recent SBC leadership decisions have eroded trust within the Baptist community. Rice supports banning women pastors and pushes for stricter theological guidelines.

In 2022, Rice withdrew from the SBC presidential race after issues arose concerning a deacon’s sexual misconduct in his church. Although this incident occurred before the deacon’s conversion, Rice and his church reviewed their leadership decisions, prioritizing a stand against sexual abuse. Rice has been leading Calvary Church since 2004 and holds advanced theological degrees from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Support and Controversies

The election of Rice gained support from conservative networks and political advocates linked to the Trump era. Groups like the Center for Baptist Leadership, led by former Trump administration staffer William Wolfe, supported Rice, advocating for stricter stances on immigration and gender identity. Rice’s coalition includes voices that see political engagement as vital for shaping public morality and policy. During his campaign, Rice emphasized listening and unity rather than silencing controversial opinions.

Rice has publicly criticized former President Donald Trump in nuanced ways. In April, he condemned a Trump social media post that likened Trump to a Christ-like figure, emphasizing that God alone deserves worship. Despite acknowledging support for Trump’s policies, Rice has warned against unhealthy political influences within the evangelical movement, cautioning against the merging of religion and politics.

Rice’s Stance on Sexual Abuse Reforms

Rice has been a contentious figure in the SBC’s debate over sexual abuse reforms, criticizing the initiatives for straying from their original goal of supporting victims. He argued that the efforts became divisive and expensive, influenced by activists with broader agendas. Rice believes there are genuine concerns within the church regarding sexual abuse but sees the movement as overreaching.

Future of SBC Under Rice’s Leadership

Rice’s presidency occurs at a crucial time for the SBC, amid declining membership, internal divisions, and public scrutiny. Key issues set to define his tenure include:

• Doctrinal debates, including bans on women pastors and conservative theological positions
• Political engagement and alignment with political figures
• Responses to sexual abuse, including potential reform efforts
• Rebuilding trust among churches feeling alienated by national leadership

Rice’s leadership aims to return the SBC to its core convictions and resist external cultural influences. His focus on doctrinal fidelity over popularity will shape his policy decisions and potentially impact the unity and direction of the SBC in the upcoming years.