Brad Graves, Senior Pastor of Ada, First, will be nominated for Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) First Vice President at the upcoming SBC Annual Meeting in Indianapolis.

Brad Whitt, pastor of Augusta, Ga., Abilene, announced plans to nominate Graves for the role.

Whitt paints a vivid picture of Graves, who dedicated three decades to the SBC as a church planter, pastor, missionary, and leader.

“Graves’ influence extends beyond our borders, as he has preached and led pastors’ conferences on five continents, inspiring and equipping pastors worldwide,” Whitt said.

“He has planted churches in New Hampshire and California and served in churches of all sizes. His service also extends beyond the local level, having worked with the associational, state convention, and national levels with the North American Mission Board (NAMB), demonstrating his commitment to the broader SBC community.”

For eight years, Graves has served as senior pastor at Ada, First, one of Oklahoma’s great legacy churches, with former pastors like O.S. Hawkins and Michael Catt. Under Graves’ leadership, Ada, First has experienced significant growth, with membership reaching 1,612 and 421 baptisms.

The church’s commitment to missions and Cooperative Program (CP) giving is noteworthy. The church has given a total of $2,204,635 to mission causes since Graves’ arrival in 2016, with $1,487,958 going directly to the CP. The church consistently gives 10 percent of its receipts to the CP.

“Brad Graves is a pastor who is a leader at every level. He is highly evangelistic and is known nationally as an encouragement to pastors,” Whitt added.

Graves just completed his term as Oklahoma Baptist Pastors Conference President in 2023. He has also served on the New England Baptist Convention’s board of directors, the Advisory Board with Life Action Ministries, and several other boards and committees.

“If elected, I will spend my time and resources serving the convention that I love and encouraging our churches, pastors, and missionaries in their fulfillment of the Great Commission,” Graves said.

Brad and his wife, Becky, have been married for 28 years. Becky is the treasurer for the SBC Ministers Wives Luncheon. She has recently released a book detailing her journey through the loss of their child. They have two adult children serving in full- time ministry, two children at home, a daughter-in-law, and one granddaughter.

Additionally, Whitt is being nominated for president of the SBC Pastors’ Conference.

 

Note: Photo provided by Erin Rutledge.