- Baptist Press - https://www.baptistpress.com -

Barnes tapped to lead Nevada Baptists

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RENO, Nevada (BP)–Thane Barnes, 45, pastor of Green Valley Baptist Church in Henderson, Nev., was named the new executive director/treasurer of the Nevada Baptist Convention at the March 5 meeting of the convention’s Executive Board.

The 16-1 vote in favor of Barnes followed a recommendation from the search committee headed by NBC president John Mark Simmons. The committee had been working on the search process since David Meacham’s resignation from the post last September.

Barnes graduated from Grand Canyon College (University) in 1980 and went from there to Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been the pastor of three churches since seminary: West Ajo Baptist Church of Tucson, Ariz., Ken Caryl Baptist Church of Littleton, Colo., and Green Valley Baptist Church of Henderson. Each of those churches experienced considerable growth during his pastorates.

Becky Walker from Smith Valley Baptist Church in the Lahontan Baptist Association said her decision, like that of the other committee members, was preceded by much prayer. She said Barnes’ comments about seeking prayer partners weighed heavily in his favor during her deliberations.

Serving in such a capacity as the NBC Executive Director has been on Barnes’ heart for some time, he said. He related how more than ten years ago, as he served as pastor of Ken Caryl Baptist Church in Littleton, Colo., he began to sense that God was calling him to serve multiple churches.

An overall goal for Barnes is to see the expansion of healthy churches. “Nevada has done a good job of starting churches,” he observed, “I’d like for us to focus on developing healthy churches. If conventions and associations exist for any other reason than to help churches, we don’t need them,” he continued.

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Barnes’ wife, Susan, and their daughters, Melissa and Jenna, were introduced to the board before deliberations began. Melissa’s husband Brandon Meekin was also present. Susan, following the board’s decision, said she sees her role as the wife of NBC’s executive director similar to her role as a pastor’s wife has been, though the transition will likely be different from her previous experiences.
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