HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — David Horton, president of Fruitland Baptist Bible College since 2009, has announced his plans to retire next spring after a tenure of more than 16 years leading the school located in the mountains of North Carolina.

Horton informed members of Fruitland’s board of directors of his decision Thursday morning (Sept. 18), which was followed by an announcement to the school’s faculty, staff, students and alumni. Horton’s retirement will take effect March 31, 2026.

“Serving in this role has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” Horton said in written remarks shared with the Biblical Recorder. “Over the past 16-½ years, I have joined with the Fruitland faculty and staff to help equip the next generation of Christian leaders and it has been an amazing journey. I am so proud of Fruitland alumni who are serving faithfully in Christ’s kingdom with godly character, competence, and commitment. I am deeply grateful for the support of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, whose desire to be on mission together is foundational for all that we do.

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to the faculty and staff for their unwavering dedication, to the students for their passion and commitment, and to the broader community of churches and alumni for their trust and encouragement. Your partnership has made this journey profoundly meaningful.”

Known for his humble leadership, passion for expository preaching and deep love for the local church, Horton has been a beloved figure at Fruitland and across the broader Baptist community for many years. Prior to becoming Fruitland’s eighth president on June 1, 2009, Horton served in a variety of pastoral and leadership roles. 

Immediately prior to being selected as Fruitland’s president, Horton pastored Gate City Baptist Church in Jamestown, N.C, for 16 years from 1993 to 2009. During his ministry at Gate City, he also served in a number of leadership positions in N.C. Baptist life. Horton served two consecutive terms as president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina in 2004 and 2005 after previously serving two terms as second vice president. He also served as president of the N.C. Baptist Pastors’ Conference in 1999.

Horton served on the N.C. Baptist board of directors from 1998 to 2002, which included service as the board’s vice president and on the board’s executive committee. He also served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention from 2007 to 2009.

Horton has also pastored Three Forks Baptist Church in Taylorsville, N.C., Welcome Baptist Church in Mount Airy, N.C., and Reed Island Springs Baptist Church in Meadows of Dan, Va. During his time as Fruitland’s president, Horton has also served as an interim pastor at a number of churches over the years.

“David Horton has served with the quiet strength of a true Baptist statesman,” said Pat Kilby, pastor of First Baptist Church in Cary and current president of Fruitland’s board of directors. “His ministry has been marked by integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment and dedication to the mission. He is an encouragement to everyone who has had the privilege to serve alongside him.”

Fruitland Baptist Bible College was established in 1946 and is owned and operated by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.

“Fruitland has been and remains a critical part of the N.C. Baptist mission to assist churches as they fulfill the Great Commission,” said Todd Unzicker, executive director-treasurer for N.C. Baptists. “The historic institution has trained ministers of the gospel for decades, and David Horton has been a faithful part of that effort. I am immensely grateful for his partnership and friendship.”

Horton said he began thinking and praying about retirement in 2024. As he contemplated his own future and the future of Fruitland, the higher education landscape was undergoing transformative shifts in how learning is accessed and delivered. Those factors prompted Horton to approach leaders at Fruitland and the state convention in late January of this year with a request to form an advisory council to explore how the school can remain effective in its historic mission of training pastors and ministry leaders.

“As I reflect upon current trends that are impacting ministerial training, and as I see my retirement somewhere on the horizon, I desire to see Fruitland to be in the best possible position to continue training and equipping ministry leaders for years to come,” Horton said in making the initial request for an advisory council.

Following Horton’s request, a six-member advisory council was appointed by Kilby and Robert Hefner, president of the N.C. Baptist board of directors, earlier this year. The group has been meeting regularly throughout the year and recently gave a preliminary report to Fruitland’s board of directors. The group plans to present the same report to the N.C. Baptist board of directors during a regularly scheduled meeting next week.

“I believe in the future of Fruitland, and I believe this is best for Fruitland,” Horton said.

And while he will be retiring from Fruitland, Horton said he plans to continue to serve local churches in some capacity after stepping away from his current role as president.

“I have really enjoyed serving in interim pastorates over the past several years, and I could see that happening in the future,” Horton said. “I even told my wife, Lisa, that I may have one more (full-time) pastorate left in me before this is over.

“I may be retiring from Fruitland, but I don’t ever see myself fully retiring from ministry.”