Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) Executive Coordinator
Daniel Vestal announced his retirement at a recent CBF advisory council
meeting.
With a retirement date effective June 30, 2012, Vestal has
been the leader for CBF since 1996 when he replaced founding coordinator Cecil
Sherman.
Vestal asked officers to appoint a search committee. He said
he would leave sooner if the committee can find a replacement. The advisory
council meets and acts on behalf of the CBF governing body, the Coordinating
Council, between meetings. The Coordinating Council is scheduled to meet Oct.
19-21 in Atlanta. Vestal bid for the presidency of the Southern Baptist
Convention in 1990 but was defeated. After that Vestal convened a meeting of
disenfranchised moderates that led to formation of the CBF a year later. A
Texas native, Vestal pastored two churches in Texas and another in Georgia.
“One reason I have great hope for the future of Cooperative
Baptist Fellowship is because of the quality and character of present and
emerging leadership,” Vestal said. “CBF is blessed with a host of Baptist
Christians who believe in our vision and values. Thanks be to God.”