J. Allen Murray, pastor of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in Supply, will be nominated for a second term as president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina at this year’s N.C. Baptist annual meeting.
Michael Cloer, mission strategist for the Cape Fear Network of Baptist Churches based in Wilmington, announced his intentions to nominate Murray in an email to the Biblical Recorder on Aug. 21.
The formal nomination will take place during the state convention’s annual meeting, which is scheduled for Nov. 10-11 at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro.
“Allen represents the majority of North Carolina Baptists by belonging to a church with less than two hundred souls,” Cloer wrote in his email. “He pastors Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Supply, N.C. Allen does what most N.C. Baptist pastors do, he pours his heart and soul into pastoring that congregation that God has entrusted to him. He preaches expository messages three times every week. He takes the gospel to the lost not only in his community, but around the world. Pastor Allen has a deep passion for missions, service, and shepherding God’s people.”
Murray began serving as pastor of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in July after pastoring Centerville Baptist Church in Kelly for nearly seven years.
Murray was serving as N.C. Baptists’ first vice president and moved into the role of president in August 2024 when then president Jason Miller resigned to join the state convention staff. Murray was subsequently elected to a full term as president three months later at last November’s N.C. Baptist annual meeting. State convention bylaws permit elected officers to serve two consecutive years in the same office.
In a written statement to the Biblical Recorder, Murray said serving N.C. Baptists has been a joy.
“As I look back over this last year, having been able to serve North Carolina Baptists in this capacity has been one of the great joys of my ministry,” Murray said. “I have been able to hear their stories and see firsthand what God is doing across our state and the world through North Carolina Baptist churches. When I think about what I’ve seen in this last year among my fellow N.C. Baptists, I have seen people who are striving to love the Lord and love their neighbors. It is such a tremendous blessing being able to serve beside brothers and sisters who are making a kingdom impact.
“If the Lord and the messengers in November see fit for me to serve them as president of our convention for another year it will be an honor and a privilege.”
Murray has served in a variety of leadership roles in all levels of Baptist life. In addition to serving on boards, committees and as an elected officer with the state convention, Murray served as president and vice president of the N.C. Baptist Pastors’ Conference. He also served on the Southern Baptist Convention’s Committee on Committees in 2023 and has been active in local Baptist associations wherever he has pastored.
A native of Wilmington, Murray has more than a decade of pastoral ministry experience in churches across the state. Murray has been actively involved with N.C. Baptists on Mission’s disaster response ministry since high school, and he has led or participated in a number of domestic and international mission trips through the years.
Murray is currently pursuing a master of divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest. He has also studied at Judson College, Southeastern’s undergraduate school, and at Fruitland Baptist Bible College in Hendersonville.
Murray and his wife, Hope, have two daughters.
According to state convention records, Mount Pisgah Baptist Church reported 50 people in average weekly worship attendance in 2024. The church also reported $6,965 in gifts to the Cooperative Program, $4,423 to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American missions and $5,500 in gifts to the Lottie Moon Easter Offering for international missions during 2024.
Murray is the first announced candidate for state convention president.
