SCOTT DEPOT, W.Va. — The West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists (WVCSB) Executive Board has named Dr. Seth N. Polk as interim Executive Director-Treasurer as the search begins for the convention’s next leader.
Polk, who currently serves as lead pastor of Cross Lanes Baptist Church in Cross Lanes, W.Va., brings three decades of pastoral experience and denominational leadership to the role. He also serves as Director of Send Network West Virginia through the North American Mission Board.
“Our convention is currently in a healthy place with great potential for the future,” Polk said. “We are thankful for Eric Ramsey’s work and pray the best for him and his wife Gaye in their next assignment. I look forward to providing interim leadership until God directs the search committee to our next leader. Join us in prayer for the process.”
The WVCSB Executive Director-Treasurer Search Committee is now receiving applications from candidates who sense a call to serve West Virginia Southern Baptists. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter, resume, and references online at wvcsb.org/execsearch through May 5, 2025.
Polk previously served two terms as president of the WVCSB and two terms as president of the WVCSB Pastors’ Conference. He was a trustee of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention from 2013 to 2021, serving as chair from 2019 to 2021. He has also served on various SBC committees. He holds a Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a D.Min. from Liberty Theological Seminary, an M.Div. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a B.S. in Business Administration from Florida Southern College.
“We’re grateful for Dr. Polk’s willingness to step in during this season,” said Ryan Navy, WVCSB president and pastor of River Valley Baptist Church in Boyd County, Ky. “Seth’s steady hand, proven leadership in our state, and gospel focus will bless both our churches and our state office as we continue forward together.”
Josh Waybright, pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Mason, W.Va., and chair of the WVCSB Executive Director-Treasurer Search Committee, added the process has been marked by unity and dependence on the Lord. “We are seeking God’s guidance and seeing his provision firsthand,” he said. “It’s encouraging to see the passion within our convention of churches, and we’re excited to see how God will provide as we begin receiving resumes.”
This announcement follows the news that Eric W. Ramsey, the 8th executive director since the WVCSB was constituted in 1970, will complete his time with the convention on April 30. In a letter addressed to the WVCSB Executive Board and leaders across the state, Ramsey shared that the Lord is leading him and his wife, Gaye, to pastor First Baptist Church of Checotah, Okla., where they will be closer to his mother, their children and spouses, and their grandchildren.
“There is no greater call than that of a local church pastor,” he wrote, “yet, oh, how I will miss serving with you, making Jesus known in and through West Virginia.” He closed his letter with a blessing: “May you continue to follow the Lord on this transitional journey from ‘mission field’ to ‘family of churches on mission.’”
For more information on the search or to apply, visit wvcsb.org/execsearch.