Pastor Michael Evans of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mansfield will be nominated for registration secretary of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
Pastor Edward Wagner of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Harker Heights announced his intention to nominate Evans at Texas Baptists’ annual meeting in Waco, Nov. 10-12.
Saying Evans’ “character is impeccable,” Wagner said his election would “set a wonderful example.”
“Given the religious climate of our time, we need men of integrity to step forward and be of service in high-profile positions,” he said. “Michael Evans is a man of unquestionable moral integrity.”
Evans, who was BGCT president from 2018 to 2020, has served Bethlehem Baptist Church as senior pastor more than three decades and was elected mayor of Mansfield in December 2020. He is the first African American to serve the city in that leadership role.
In spite of his other responsibilities, Evans agreed to accept the additional role as BGCT registration secretary if elected out of his commitment to Texas Baptists.
“I love the BGCT and appreciate the work of Texas Baptists,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to serve, to stay connected to the lifeblood of Texas Baptists, and to encourage others to participate in our annual meeting.”
Evans is a Houston native who served nine years in the U.S. Navy as a reserve chaplain, and he also worked in chaplaincy at Dallas Children’s Hospital.
He served on the BGCT Executive Board staff as director of African-American ministries from 2001 to 2006, while continuing to serve Bethlehem Baptist Church.
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Evans earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, a Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary.
He founded several community service organizations—the BBC Educational Enrichment Corporation, the Hope House Community Service Network and the Historic West Mansfield Texas Community Development Corporation.
He previously served as president of the board of trustees of the Mansfield Independent School District and was an administrator with the Tarrant County College District.
He and his wife Lisa have two adult children.
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