FBC Rockwall’s Criner named SBC Pastors’ Conference VP

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (BP)—Texas pastor Michael Criner has been named vice president of the 2025 Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference, June 8-9, in Dallas.

D.J. Horton, Pastors’ Conference president and senior pastor of Church at The Mill in Spartanburg, S.C., announced Criner’s selection in a Sept. 9 press release, noting that Criner’s leadership will be a tremendous asset to the conference.

Criner, senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Rockwall, has more than 25 years of ministry experience, serving in various ministry roles from children and youth ministry to leading multiple congregations as a senior pastor.

Historically, First Baptist Rockwall forwards roughly 18 percent of its undesignated receipts through the Cooperative Program.

The congregation is also engaged in missions work with the International Mission Board and with the North American Mission Board’s church planting initiatives across Texas.

Criner has held various roles in broader SBC life, most recently as chairman of the Committee on Nominations in 2023. He also served on the SBC Committee on Committees in 2019.

In the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Criner has served as chairman of its Committee on Order of Business and as a member of its Sexual Abuse Advisory Committee.

“In his leadership, Criner is known for his strategic and collaborative approach, emphasizing the importance of trust and teamwork in advancing the mission of the church,” Horton said in the release. “He is deeply passionate about seeing others come to know Jesus, grow in their faith, and serve in the life of the church and beyond. His vision for ministry is centered around creating pathways for people to hear the Gospel, mature in their faith, and become active participants in sharing the gospel with the world.”

Raised in Texas, Criner became a follower of Jesus at age 7, and his spiritual foundation was built through the influence of his grandfather, Ed Hecht, who led him to Christ and discipled him during his early years. He answered the call to vocational ministry at age 12.

He and his wife Abigail, a musician and worship leader, have three children.

The theme of the 2025 SBC Pastors’ Conference is “Worth Following” from 2 Timothy, where Paul describes God’s plan for a pattern for pastors’ lives that is worth following.