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Texas evangelism leader Nathan Lorick new Colo. exec.

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WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (BP) — Colorado Baptists elected Texas evangelism leader Nathan Lorick as their new executive director in a near unanimous vote July 15 at Applewood Baptist Church in Wheat Ridge, Colo.

Lorick, director of evangelism for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC) and a former senior pastor, replaces retiring executive director Mark Edlund, who held the Colorado post for more than 15 years.

The Colorado Baptist General Convention (CBGC) executive director search team recommended Lorick to messengers from a pool of about 20 applicants, BGCC President Mike Routt told Baptist Press.

“There was a unanimous sense that God was leading the search team to him,” Routt said. “It was a variety of things, as it usually is when God is leading. His exceptional leadership in the SBTC in the area of evangelism was also a very positive aspect.”

Search team chairman Calvin Wittman, pastor of the Denver-area Applewood Baptist Church, hosted the called meeting of Colorado messengers who voted 75-1 in favor of Lorick.

“We are excited about Dr. Lorick’s election,” Wittman told BP. “We look forward to what God is going to do here in Colorado.”

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Wittman noted Lorick’s experience and appreciation for the state convention’s goals.

“When we put it all together, we wanted somebody that understood the past and was connected to the future,” Wittman said. “We had some good candidates, but we really sensed that this was God’s man. We believe that God wants to do something great in Colorado.”

Colorado Southern Baptists received Lorick favorably in “meet and greets” introducing the candidate July 11-14 at churches across the state, Wittman said. Lorick was also recommended by leading Southern Baptists across the nation.

Frank S. Page, Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee president, called Lorick a man of “integrity and ability.”

“He is winsome in personality, loving in character and solid in theology,” Page told the CBGC. “He will encourage in evangelism, discipleship, revitalization and church planting. … Colorado will do well under his great leadership.”

Lorick became SBTC director of evangelism in 2012 after serving the previous five years as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Malakoff, Texas. He pastored Martin’s Mill Baptist Church in Martin’s Mill, Texas, from 2005–2007.

SBTC Executive Director Jim Richards called Lorick “a man of vision.”

“He is able to bridge the generations with a servant spirit,” Richards said in commending Lorick to the CBGC. “He has the passion of an evangelist, the heart of a pastor, and the leadership skills of a statesman.”

Lorick wrote “Dying to Grow: Reclaiming the Heart for Evangelism in the Church,” initiated the 1Cross app sharing the Gospel in 60-plus languages, and is an International Mission Board trustee. He is a sought-after voice promoting religious liberty, the CBGC said, noting his media appearances on broadcasts including “Fox and Friends,” “Glen Beck Radio,” “American Family Radio” and “Tony Perkins Live.” He holds master of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.

He and his wife Jenna Leigh Lorick have four children.