Georgia Baptists reelect Browning as president; select Brinson and Oney as vice presidents

By HENRY DURAND, The Christian Index

Thursday, November 13, 2025

ATLANTA — Georgia Baptists reelected Steve Browning, pastor of First Baptist Church Alpharetta, as convention president on Tuesday and chose two pastors known for cooperative, evangelistic ministry to serve alongside him as officers for the coming year.

In nominating Browning for reelection, Chris Renfro, lead pastor of Hope Church Union Hill in Alpharetta, noted that FBC Alpharetta baptized more people this year than at any other point in its 120-year history.

Trea Brinson, lead pastor of Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, was elected first vice president with 270 votes. Jim Perdue, pastor of Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins, who nominated Brinson, emphasized his heart for the local church, his investment in pastors, and his service in associational and state roles.

Messengers elected James Oney, pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Fayetteville, as second vice president with 255 votes. In placing his name before the convention, Griffin Gulledge, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in north Fayetteville, highlighted Oney’s faithfulness in ministry, cooperative spirit, and desire to see Georgia Baptists pull together around a common gospel agenda. Gulledge said that when asked to recommend a church, he tells people about Liberty right after his own.

The third nominee for vice president, Paul Ballard, pastor of Thomasville First Baptist Church, received 175 votes.

Together, the three officers reflect Georgia Baptists’ commitment to the state’s evangelism strategy, support of the Mission Board, and engagement at the grassroots level. All three are pastors who love their churches, value Baptist cooperation, and are ready to help the convention maintain momentum in the coming year.

The officers will work closely with Georgia Baptist Mission Board Executive Director Thomas Hammond and Mission Board staff to expand evangelism training and strengthen churches across the state.

___

Video of the sessions and presentations during the annual meeting is available on Acts2.

--- PHOTOS ---

File: 20251113-142803-577-Thomas prays s.jpg

Caption: Thomas Hammond, executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, prays for the newly elected officers of the Georgia Baptist Convention and their wives, at the GBC's annual meeting at First Baptist Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. From left: Hammond, Chantel Oney, Second Vice President James Oney, President Steve Browning, Beth Browning, Cayla Brinson, First Vice President Trea Brinson. (Index/Henry Durand)

File: 20251113-142756-562-New officers 1 s.jpg

Caption: Newly reelected Georgia Baptist Convention President Steve Browning stands beside Trea Brinson, right, first vice president, and James Oney, left, second vice president, at the conclusion of the GBC's annual meeting at First Baptist Atlanta, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

File: 20251113-142800-039-Oneys greeted s.jpg

Caption: Thomas Hammond, executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, welcomes Chantel Oney as Georgia Baptist Convention President Steve Browning embraces newly elected Second Vice President James Oney at the GBC's annual meeting at First Baptist Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. At right is Beth Browning. (Index/Henry Durand)