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

Sanchez becomes first Hispanic to lead Texas Baptist exec. board

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DALLAS (BP)–Rudy Sanchez made history Feb. 22 when he became the first Hispanic to preside over the 231-member Texas Baptist executive board. Sanchez, 63, was elected chairman of the executive board last September.

“My goal is to do my very best,” Sanchez told the Dallas Morning News. “To me, it’s nothing extraordinary.”

Sanchez, pastor of the First Mexican Baptist Church of Dallas, has held a number of key leadership roles in the 2.7-million-member Baptist General Convention of Texas. He has been president of what is now the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas and second vice president of the general convention. He has also served on many boards and committees of other Baptist institutions.

Sanchez is a graduate of Howard Payne University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has pastored churches in six Texas cities, including Dallas and Corpus Christi.

“I would describe Rudy as a mature, wise, compassionate and committed man,” said Clyde Glazener, BGCT president. “We are aware the Hispanic population is becoming very significant in Texas, and consequently, we want them well represented in leadership in Texas Baptist life.”

Other Hispanics who hold significant positions include Mateo Rendon, chairman of the administrative committee of the executive board, and Lorenzo Pena, first vice president of the convention.

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Sanchez and his wife, Ruth, have four grown children.