OKC pastor set to lead state Baptist organization
The Rev. Hance Dilbeck is poised to become the next executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.
A search committee within the convention’s board of directors recently recommended that Dilbeck become the convention’s leader.
Dilbeck, 52, is currently senior pastor of Quail Springs Baptist Church, 14613 N May.
The Oklahoma convention’s board of directors will consider and vote on Dilbeck’s nomination at a special meeting that the Rev. Joe Ligon set for Dec. 11 in Oklahoma City. Ligon, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Marlow, is the state convention’s current president.
If his nomination is approved, Dilbeck will succeed the Rev. Anthony Jordan, the convention’s current executive director-treasurer.
In September, Jordan, 68, said he planned to retire, effective April 2018. He has served in the post for almost 22 years, longer than any other individual, convention leaders said.
Dilbeck is a native of Pawhuska. He received his undergraduate degree in religion from Oklahoma Baptist University, and he earned a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
Dilbeck has served as Quail Springs Baptist’s leader since 2003. He also has served as pastor of churches in Snyder, Noble and Ponca City before taking his leadership post at Quail Springs.
He also has served in many leadership roles in Baptist life, including chairman of the OBU board of trustees, chairman of the Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary board of trustees and chairman of the Southern Baptist Convention International Mission Board’s board of trustees. In addition, Dilbeck has served as second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention.
He and his wife, Julie, have been married for 32 years and have three grown sons.
Meanwhile, the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma is the state affiliate of the Southern Baptist Convention of Oklahoma.
The state convention’s Nov. 26 official announcement of Dilbeck’s nomination via Twitter and The Baptist Messenger was met with a string of positive responses from various Oklahoma Baptist preachers and leaders, as well as leaders within the Southern Baptist Convention.
“I could not be more pleased. Hance is God’s man to lead OK Baptists into God’s future for us,” Jordan said in a tweet.
“I am excited that @PastorHance will lead Oklahoma Baptists into a new era of ministry,” the Rev. Mike Keahbone, the convention’s first vice president and senior pastor of Cherokee Hills Baptist Church, said in a tweet.
The Rev. Felix Cabrera, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Central, which began as a Hispanic ministry of Quail Springs Baptist, also had good things to say.
“I’m grateful for this man of God! @PastorHance will lead us well!,” Cabrebra tweeted.
And Southern Baptist leaders, the Rev. Steve Gaines, the Rev. Ronnie Floyd and the Rev. Russell Moore, also weighed in on the announcement.
“This is fantastic— one of the best leaders in the world right now. Great choice Oklahoma Baptists,” Moore tweeted on Nov. 26.
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