Debbie Potter, children’s pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio, will be nominated for first vice president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
Dennis Wiles, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Arlington, said he will nominate Potter at the BGCT annual meeting, Nov. 10-12 in Waco.
She was elected as BGCT second vice president at the Texas Baptist Family Gathering last summer. When Julio Guarneri was elected as executive director and stepped down as president, First Vice President Ronny Marriott moved into the president’s role, and Potter became first vice president.
Potter has “served Texas Baptists this past year with distinction,” and they are “truly blessed” by her leadership, Wiles said.
Wiles characterized her as “a champion for children” who has served at Trinity Baptist Church since 2003, in a ministry to children and families that has spanned the tenure of three senior pastors there.
“Her love and care for children continues to inspire fellow ministers across Texas Baptist life,” he said.
“She knows the value of ministering to children and providing formational experiences for them and their families. In addition to her role as the children’s pastor at Trinity, her ministry is extended through the provision of resources for others who work in children’s ministry.”
Wiles also indirectly alluded to controversy in the Southern Baptist Convention regarding women in ministry, particularly those who serve in any capacity as a pastor.
“At a time when some are questioning the role of women in our churches, Dr. Potter is a role model of a gifted, mature, godly, innovative, strategic minister who is serving in one of our historic churches. She is one of our finest,” he said.
‘Women just want to serve’
Potter views the nomination of a woman who carries the title “pastor” for BGCT first vice president as a “huge” statement.
“I have been blessed to work with men who have supported me and helped me in ministry, but there are so many women who haven’t had that opportunity,” she said.
After attending listening sessions with women in ministry, she noted, many are “heartbroken” by the debate surrounding their role in the church.
“Women just want to serve—to be able to do what God has called and equipped us to do in the church, without all the controversy hindering us,” Potter said.
She particularly hopes to encourage young women who may feel called to Christian service but who do not feel affirmed in their congregations.
“I am afraid young women may leave the church and go where they feel they are valued,” she said.
Having served as a BGCT officer since last summer, Potter said she feels as if she is “barely getting started” in learning about all the ministries and resources Texas Baptists offer.
She affirmed Guarneri’s leadership as executive director, noting they previously served together on the board of Buckner International.
“He is a kind and humble leader who values all human beings,” she said. “Julio is a very inclusive person who believes strongly in the Baptist General Convention of Texas. He is an empowering person who will empower his staff to be creative and innovative.”
Equip churches to help vulnerable children
In the coming year, Potter said, she hopes Texas Baptists will explore ways to equip churches to help vulnerable children in Texas and those who are seeking to care for them.
She serves as a volunteer chaplain with Child Protective Services workers in San Antonio, meeting weekly with them to listen to them and encourage them.
“Many of them are working 80 hours a week. They need our support,” she said.
Potter has served as a minister to children and their families since 1997, working six years at Parkhills Baptist Church in San Antonio before joining the staff at Trinity Baptist Church. She was licensed to the gospel ministry at Parkhills Baptist Church in 1998 and ordained by Trinity Baptist Church in 2005.
She received her undergraduate degree from Southern Nazarene University and a Master of Arts degree from the School of Education at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She earned a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Andrews University in 2015.
Potter has consulted and led training sessions for San Antonio Baptist Association and the BGCT, and she has mentored dozens of young people, including international students from Baptist University of the Américas. She also has served as an adjunct professor at BUA.
Potter has written five children’s books, curriculum, multiple articles and more than 50 children’s sermons and other ministry resources. Currently, she is writing a book about servant leadership.
In addition to serving as a trustee of Buckner International, she has served on the Texas Baptists’ Committee to Nominate Boards of Affiliated Ministries and on the board of Alpha Home, a residential substance abuse treatment center launched by Trinity Baptist Church.
She and her husband Robert have two adult children, Chelsea and Chase.
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