BROWNWOOD – November 7, 2023 –Howard Payne University alumnus Dr. Ronny Marriott, pastor of First Baptist Church in Burleson, was recently named president of Texas Baptists. The unanimous resolution was made during the meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) Executive Board earlier this fall. Dr. Marriott had previously been serving as first vice president. The move follows the election of Dr. Julio Guarneri, lead pastor of McAllen’s Calvary Baptist Church, to the post of BGCT executive director. Dr. Guarneri had been serving as president.
“Dr. Ronny Marriott is an outstanding example of a life of service and a commitment to the advancement of the Gospel,” said Dr. Cory Hines, HPU president. “His alma mater is proud of him and looks forward to the Kingdom work to be accomplished through his leadership in his new role.”
A native of Mesquite, Dr. Marriott graduated from HPU in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree before earning Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1990 and 2006, respectively.
He has served as pastor at Burleson’s First Baptist Church since 2016. Earlier pastorates were at First Baptist Church in Temple, First Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, Shady Oaks Baptist Church in Hurst and Sunset Canyon Baptist Church in Dripping Springs, preceded by posts as youth minister at Northlake Baptist Church in Dallas and at Shady Oaks Baptist Church in Hurst.
He has written for Lifeway and Baptist Press and serves on HPU’s Board of Trustees, the BGCT’s Theological Education Council and the Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors. He has previously served on the BGCT’s Christian Life Commission, Executive Board and President’s Council.
Dr. Marriott and his wife, Robin, have three children: Molly, Morgan and Ryan.
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Cutline: Dr. Ronny Marriott, a 1987 graduate of Howard Payne University, was recently named president of Texas Baptists.