Matt Capps, lead pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Apex and an experienced leader in Baptist life, will be nominated for a second term as second vice president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina during this year’s N.C. Baptist annual meeting.

Jordon Willard, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Weddington, plans to make the nomination.

“Matt is one of the godliest followers of Christ I know,” Willard told the Biblical Recorder in written comments. “While he is an excellent husband, father, pastor, and author, he has also demonstrated exemplary leadership at the convention level by being a man of Christ-like character, biblical conviction, and skilled competency — in that order. As an ‘on mission together’ leader with a courageous voice for truth and a humble heart to shepherd, Matt represents the very best of NC Baptists. I look forward to nominating him to serve our convention for a second term as 2nd Vice President.”

A native of Charlotte, Capps recently celebrated his 10th anniversary as Fairview Baptist Church’s lead pastor. Prior to coming to Fairview, Capps served with Lifeway Christian Resources as the brand manager for “The Gospel Project” Bible study curriculum during its initial release. While in Nashville, he also served as the teaching pastor at The Fellowship Church. Capps has also served in other ministry roles at Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem and at Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte.

Capps has held a variety of leadership roles in Baptist life on both the state and national levels. Nationally, Capps served as chairman of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Committee on Nominations for 2023-2024. He has also served on leadership councils for the North American Mission Board and the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.

In North Carolina, Capps served on the N.C. Baptist board of directors from 2018-2021, which included stints as president and vice president of the board. He was president of the N.C. Baptist Pastors’ Conference in 2018 and helped launch The Pastors’ Network of North Carolina in 2016, a group focused on connecting and encouraging pastors across the state.

Capps was elected second vice president of the state convention during last year’s annual meeting, and he said it would be an honor to serve again if reelected.

“I would be honored to serve NC Baptists in this capacity,” Capps said in written remarks. “God is at work in our churches, and Fairview is heavily invested in the ministries of our state convention and her auxiliaries.”

According to state convention records, Fairview Baptist Church reported 431 members in 2024 along with 12 baptisms. The church allocates 8% of its annual budget to the Cooperative Program (CP), 2% to N.C. Baptists on Mission and 2% to the Pillar Network. In 2024, Fairview contributed $77,107 to CP and $19,276 to state missions. In addition, the church contributed $22,701 to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American missions, $35,916 to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions and $19,971 to state missions.

Earlier this year, Fairview sent out its first church plant.

Capps holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a master of divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctor of ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Ridley College in Australia. Capps also serves as an adjunct professor at Southeastern Seminary.

He has also authored or contributed to a variety of books, Bible studies and other publications. Capps’ most recent book, “Every Member Matters,” was released earlier this year and was coauthored with fellow N.C. pastor Josh Wredberg. 

Capps and his wife, Laura, have three children.

Capps is the first announced candidate for second vice president of the state convention. The announcement about Capps’ nomination means that each of the officers who are currently serving N.C. Baptists will be renominated for second terms at this year’s annual meeting, which meets Nov. 10-11 at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro.

Allen Murray, pastor of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in Supply, will be renominated for a second term as state convention president, and Steven Wade, lead pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Youngsville and professor at Southeastern Seminary, will be renominated for a second term as state convention first vice president.

(EDITOR’S NOTE – The Biblical Recorder (BR) is committed to avoiding conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest whenever and wherever possible. In the interest of full transparency, we disclose that BR Managing Editor Chad Austin is a member of Fairview Baptist Church, where Matt Capps serves as lead pastor.)