Stephen Robbins, associate pastor of discipleship and missions at Elkin Valley Baptist Church in Elkin, N.C., will be nominated for second vice president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC) at this fall’s annual meeting.

Matthias “Matty” Ponce-de-Leon, chief consultant and founder of Blessed Hope Ministries, told the Biblical Recorder in a recent email that he intends to make the nomination.

Ponce-de-Leon is a member of Elkin Valley Baptist Church. Previously he served as senior pastor of Arlington First Baptist Church in Jonesville, N.C., for just under seven years before launching Blessed Hope Ministries, an addiction recovery ministry that focuses on gospel transformation.

In his email to the Recorder, Ponce-de-Leon described Robbins as a “committed servant” with a heart for missions who is “passionate about partnering with Christ-exalting, gospel-centered ministries around the world…. Robbins is deeply committed to collaborative efforts among local churches for the heralding of the gospel and the advancement of the Kingdom.”

Robbins has served in his current role of discipleship and missions pastor at Elkin Valley Baptist Church for the past seven years, and he possesses 16 years of ministerial experience in Baptist churches overall. Robbins currently serves on the BSC board of directors as a member of the Christian Life and Public Affairs committee. 

Robbins is also active in the Elkin Baptist Association, where he currently leads the association’s mission engagement team and serves on the administrative leadership team. Previously he served on the association’s restructuring team for three years.

In a statement to the Recorder, Robbins expressed his love for N.C. Baptists and a desire to bring churches together for missions and ministry.

“I love N.C. Baptists,” Robbins said. “One of my greatest joys in ministry is standing alongside Christian brothers and sisters in service to the King. Throughout my years of ministry, I have been active denominationally. The cooperative nature of our convention appeals to me because I believe we can do more together for the Lord than we can do separately.”

Robbins has led or served on a total 36 short-term mission trips, and coordinated 11 others by sending leaders into the field. He also helped establish multiyear partnerships between local churches and ministries in the United States and around the world in places like Georgia, Maryland, Texas, Mexico and the Middle East. Robbins has also led evangelistic outreaches and initiatives in his community through his local Baptist association.

In 2021, Elkin Valley Baptist Church reported 275 in average in-person worship attendance and an additional 20 in average online worship attendance, according to state convention records. Johnny Blevins serves as the church’s senior pastor.

The church contributed $38,272 in Cooperative Program gifts, as well as $12,641 to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American missions and $27,900 to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions. In addition, the church reported $480 in gifts to state missions and an additional $5,247 to other missions efforts.

If elected, Robbins said he hopes to provide a “grass roots” perspective on missions and ministry.

“Every denominational leader brings a range of experiences and a unique perspective to the table,” Robbins said. “The focus of my ministry has been targeted towards mobilizing people from the seats to the streets. Through the years, I have had the privilege of rallying hundreds of church members into practical active evangelism, missions and local service. I would love to bring that perspective to our convention leadership and encourage more and more disciples who make disciples.”

Robbins received his bachelor’s degree from the College at Southeastern in Wake Forest, N.C. He also earned his master of divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and his doctor of ministry degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Robbins and his wife, Rachel, have been married for 17 years, and they have eight children.

Robbins is the second announced candidate for second vice president of the state convention. In July, Michael Cloer, mission strategist for the Cape Fear Network of Baptist Churches, announced his plans to nominate J. Allen Murray, pastor of the Centerville Baptist Church in Kelly, N.C., for the role. 

If elected, Robbins said he would resign from his seat on the BSC’s board of directors so that his region can have full representation on the board. Robbins’ current board term expires at the end of 2023.

This year’s annual meeting is scheduled for Nov. 7-8 at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, N.C.

(EDITOR’S NOTE – Chad Austin is managing editor of the Biblical Recorder.)