Paynter named Texas CLC director

Posted: 8/04/06

Paynter named Texas CLC director

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS—The Baptist General Convention of Texas has named Suzii Paynter as director of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission effective Aug. 15.

Paynter will be the first woman to serve as director of the CLC, historically one of the most high-profile positions in Texas Baptist life. She has served as CLC interim director since March 2.

Paynter has served five years as the CLC citizenship and public policy director.

Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Director Charles Wade praised Paynter’s ministry, saying she is an effective leader, administrator and motivator who has a deep passion for Christ, serving Texas Baptists and making the state a better place to live.

Paynter follows in the footsteps of mentor and longtime CLC Director Phil Strickland, who died earlier this year. Like Paynter, Strickland served as a public policy director for the CLC before becoming the commission’s director.

“Suzii exemplifies the qualities and passion that filled the past great leaders of the Christian Life Commission,” he said. “She demonstrates an ability to lead and lead effectively the ethics arm of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.”

BGCT Chief Operating Officer/ Associate Executive Director Ron Gunter said he is “delighted” Paynter will lead the CLC, adding that she will continue Texas Baptists’ tradition of being leaders in the realms of ethics and religious liberty.

“She will build upon the work of those who have gone before her, and she will lead us to new levels in our work,” he said. “We are pleased and excited to announce Suzii as our new director of the CLC.”

Wade and Gunter consulted with a search committee led by Jim Nelson, vice chairman of the BGCT Executive Board, in selecting Paynter. Paynter was the best candidate in a strong field of people who applied to be CLC director, Nelson said.

“Suzii has the abilities to excel as director of the Christian Life Commission,” Nelson said. “She is passionate about helping churches find biblical answers to ethical issues.”

Paynter served 25 years as a national literacy professional, professor and consultant. In these roles, she advocated for state and federal policy to provide systemic remedies for hard-to-teach populations.

Previously on the faculty at Stephen F. Austin University and Baylor University, she has been an advocate for religious liberty issues, literacy and early intervention for high-risk children.

Paynter has served in leadership in many Baptist groups and institutions. Currently, she serves on the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Coordinating Council and is a recent board member and officer of the Baptist Joint Committee, Religious Liberty Council and Whitsett Baptist Heritage Society.

Paynter has served as president of the Samaritan Counseling Center Austin and is a board member of Texas Impact and the Literacy Coalition of Central Texas.

Her husband, Roger, is pastor of First Baptist Church in Austin, where she is a frequent teacher and ordained deacon.

Paynter earned a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and master’s degrees from Stephen F. Austin University and the University of Louisville.