Florence—Bill Langley, senior pastor of Severns Valley Baptist Church for seven years, was elected president of the Kentucky Baptist Convention by acclamation Nov. 15 during the KBC Annual Meeting at Florence Baptist Church.

Langley was nominated by Dan Summerlin, pastor of Lone Oak Baptist Church in Paducah and a past KBC president. Langley served as president of the Kentucky Baptist Pastors’ Conference, also held at Florence Baptist Church, prior to the annual meeting.

“Bill’s roots grow deep in Kentucky Baptist life,” Summerlin told the Western Recorder in nominating Langley for the position, noting his profession of faith as an 8-year-old at Severns Valley, where he now serves as pastor.

Summerlin highlighted three reason Kentucky Baptists should elect Langley as their president: his character, competency and commitment to Cooperative Program.

“Throughout the state, people respect him for modeling the Christian life,” Summerlin said. “He preaches on evangelism and backs it up with his lifestyle.”

Severns Valley has given more than $2.1 million through the Cooperative Program since Langley became its pastor, and more than $11.6 million since its conception in 1928.

A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Langley holds a master of divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctorate from Louisiana Baptist University.

Serving with Langley will be Kenny Rager of Owensboro and Josh Landrum of Shepherdsville. (WR)