Baptist World Alliance Appoints New Director
Philip Nation to Serve as Director of Advancement and Global Impact Churches
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA - March 12, 2019)
After a global search, the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) has appointed Rev. Philip Nation, D.Min., to serve as Director of Advancement and Global Impact Churches (DAGIC). This new executive level position includes leadership of the financial development of the BWA and the ongoing engagement of Baptist churches around the world.
As Director, Nation will mobilize Global Impact Churches, cultivate donor relationships, and oversee a comprehensive and cohesive fundraising program to advance the BWA's mission of "Networking the Baptist family to impact the world for Christ." He will begin serving in this new role on April 1.
BWA President Paul Msiza was instrumental in the search and interview process. "I am excited to welcome Philip to the BWA team and to work alongside him to grow our Global Impact Church network around the world. He brings a passion for the local church and a strategic vision to leverage our collective resources to best fulfill our mission," Msiza said.
A Baptist leader who has served in numerous ministry positions over the course of his 30-year career, Nation comes to the BWA from First Baptist Church of Bradenton, Florida, USA, where he has led the congregation as Senior Pastor since 2016. He has also served as Assistant Professor of Leadership and Biblical Studies at Houston Baptist University in Houston, Texas, USA, since 2014.
Nation has ministry experience in various positions within the local church, including Associate Pastor, Minister of Education, Minister to Single Adults, and Church Planter. He brings extensive experience in the area of leadership development and Christian publishing, having served for eight years at LifeWay Christian Resources in roles that included Director of Adult Ministry Publishing and Director of Content Development.
An accomplished author, Nation has served as contributor and editor for more than 30 books and articles in addition to penning four books, including his most recent published work from Moody Publishers titled
Habits for Our Holiness: How the Spiritual Disciplines Grow Us Up, Draw Us Together, and Send Us Out.
A sought-after speaker, Nation has been a featured communicator at more than 50 camps, events, and conferences. He has a strong commitment to global ministry, with experience preaching and serving in eight countries ranging from Cuba to Romania. His diverse ministry background, international experience, and dynamic communication skills make him a unique fit for the BWA.
"As I step into this new season of ministry, I'm excited for the opportunity to connect churches and individuals to the work of the BWA," Nation said. "As a network of Baptists across the globe, I look forward to helping everyone find ways to invest in and participate in the work that Baptists are doing worldwide."
The appointment follows a global search led by an international committee that included BWA President Paul Msiza, BWA General Secretary Elijah Brown, Human Resources Committee Chair John Upton, BWA Commission on Theological Education Member Rachael Tan, and BWA Comptroller Monica Teal. The search committee was unanimous in their decision.
"Philip brings a wealth of experience and a passion for global engagement to this role, and I am honored to welcome him to the BWA team," said General Secretary Brown. "I remain deeply grateful for the advancement efforts of Kathe Traynham, who retired in December, and I believe Philip will build upon that heritage in fresh and exciting ways in the days ahead."
Nation holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Samford University, a Master of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School, and a Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married to Angie and they have two sons.
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