N.C. pastor James Allen Murray and his family were recognized at the conclusion of the 2026 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, along with the other incoming and outgoing officers. Murray was elected SBC second vice president.
ORLANDO, Fla. — North Carolina pastor James Allen Murray was elected second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) on Wednesday (June 10) by messengers attending the 2026 SBC annual meeting.
Murray, pastor of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in Supply, N.C., and current president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, won in a runoff against Florida pastor Ethan Jago after the first-round of voting in the three-way race failed to produce a winner.
In the runoff, Murray received 2,342 votes (55.38%), while Jago received 1,876 votes (44.36%). Of the 4,229 ballots cast, 11 (0.26%) were disallowed.
The other candidate was Kentucky pastor Austin Rouse.
In the first-round of voting, Murray received 2,192 votes (42.83%), Jago received 2,127 votes (41.56%) and Rouse received 783 votes (15.3%). Of the 5,118 ballots cast, 16 (0.31%) were disallowed. Since no candidate received the required 50% of the vote, a runoff was required.
Murray was nominated by Chris Griggs, lead pastor of First Baptist Church of Welcome, N.C. In his nomination speech, Griggs called Murray a “faithful pastor” of normative-sized Southern Baptist churches and an “exceptional leader” who has held a number of leadership roles in Baptist life.
Murray has served as pastor of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church for almost a year. Griggs noted that in his brief time as the church’s pastor, Murray has already led the congregation to increase its Cooperative Program giving.
“Week after week, he faithfully disciples his people and preaches the Word and is leading that congregation to be a faithful and missional congregation,” Griggs said.
Before coming to Mount Pisgah, Murray pastored Centerville Baptist Church in Kelly, N.C., for nearly seven years. He also pastored Oak Grove Baptist Church in Lake Toxaway, N.C., and at Cheerful Hope Baptist Church in Delco, N.C.
Murray is also in his second and final term as president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina after previously serving stints as first and second vice president. Prior to being elected as a state convention officer, Murray chaired the Articles and Bylaws Committee and the Historical Committee for N.C. Baptists. He has also served as president and vice president of the annual N.C. Baptist Pastors’ Conference.
In 2023, Murray served on the SBC’s Committee on Committees, and he has been active in local Baptist associations wherever he has pastored. He 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.
“I really do love the SBC,” Murray said. “I love the SBC because we love the Great Commission. We have solid theological education. We love the Bible and believe it to be God’s Word.
“At the end of the day, I just want to serve the Lord Jesus and His church — particularly Southern Baptists — and help to see the Great Commission fulfilled.”
