Chairs | Baptist World Alliance

Chairs (2025-2030)

Rev. Karl B. Johnson

Elected in 2025, Rev. Karl B. Johnson began his 5-year term of service in July at the Baptist World Congress. In his role, he chairs the BWA Global Council. He has a long history with the BWA, having served as First Vice President of the BWA from 2020-2025 and Chair of the Membership Committee as well as a member of the Executive, Budget & Finance, Nominations, Congress, and Governance Review committees. He served as General Secretary of the Jamaica Baptist Union from 2001-2021 and has also held roles in the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship and World Council of Churches.

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Rev. Karl B. Johnson, BWA Chair for 2025-2030
I am convinced that the BWA is a Christian body that embraces the precepts and principles of the Triune God. This has been our witness and testimony since 1905 and that has made us one of the more consistently credible voices in the world as it relates to issues of evangelism, justice, equity, religious freedom, human dignity and flourishing. My prayer is that God will enable me through this role to provide missional, inspirational and transformational leadership, especially in the interest of the most overlooked and marginalized in the world.

BWA Vice Chair, Lynn Green

Rev. Lynn Green

Rev. Lynn Green began her term as BWA Vice Chair in July 2025 at the Baptist World Congress and chairs the BWA Leadership Council. She has served as General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain since 2013.

She has been a part of the BWA General Council, Executive Committee, and Human Resources Committee, and was a minister at Wokingham Baptist Church for 16 years.

A key aspect of the role as Vice Chair is to chair the meetings of the Leadership Council and I am looking forward to establishing Christ-centered, Spirit-filled, collaborative relationships together as we seek to mirror godliness and provide governance for the BWA mission, vision, and impact in the world. Whilst God’s mission will always be at the heart of the BWA, in this quinquennium I would particularly love to see greater numbers of women leaders and younger leaders flourishing and equipped to fulfill God’s call.

Rev. Jerry Carlisle

Rev. Jerry Carlisle began his 5-year term at the Baptist World Congress in July 2025 and serves as the Chair of the Trustee Committee. He is the President of the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation and former President and First Vice President of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

He has served the BWA as a BWA Vice President, Global Council Member, Human Resources Committee Chair, and Chair of the 2020 Congress Committee.

Rev. Karl B. Johnson, BWA Chair for 2025-2030

I believe the BWA pleases God as it strives to bring His children together to fulfill his redemptive purpose in his world. The [Trustee] Committee is comprised of gifted, experienced, committed global leaders with strengths in each area of the committee’s scope of work. My hope is to significantly strengthen the BWA staff and grow BWA’s financial resources to impact the world for Christ.