Cox’s Creek—Jonathan Gann, pastor of New Salem Baptist Church in Cox’s Creek, will be nominated for second vice president of the Kentucky Baptist Convention during its annual meeting Nov. 10 in Elizabethtown.

Gann will be nominated by Robert Tarrence, interim pastor of Glendale Baptist Church in Bowling Green, when the KBC meets at Severns Valley Baptist Church.

“Jonathan greatly represents what Kentucky Baptists are all about,” Tarrence said.

“Jonathan believes in the Cooperative Program and mission giving,” he added, noting that Gann has led New Salem to increase its CP giving to 10 percent in just a few short years while also contributing substantially to the Lottie Moon, Annie Armstrong and Eliza Broadus missions offerings.

Gann has demonstrated a spirit of cooperation in Nelson Baptist Association, where he serves as moderator and has been a member of its administrative team, Tarrence said.

A native of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Gann is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and is currently enrolled in the master’s degree program at Louisville Bible College. He served as youth minister at New Salem prior to becoming its pastor in June 2012.

“One might ask, why nominate one so young?” Terrance acknowledged.

“When we look around our convention, the one thing so easily recognizable is that we are losing our younger preachers. Jonathan represents a generation that needs to know that they are wanted and needed in our KBC life,” he explained. “He will be able to bring a perspective from this generation to the workings of our convention.”

Gann is the second announced candidate for the KBC’s second vice president post. Stephen Hall, retired minister of music and education at High Street Baptist Church in Somerset, also is expected to be nominated.

If elected, Gann said that his primary focus would be to “come alongside the president and 1st vice president to carry out the vision of the KBC and to connect and encourage churches to stand firm on the scriptures and gospel of Jesus Christ. I will be a supporter of Dr. Chitwood’s and his leadership in the KBC.”

New Salem Baptist Church contributed $15,611 through the Cooperative Program in 2013-2014 of its undesignated receipts of $155,442, or 10 percent. The congregation reported nine baptisms last year. (WR)