As a movement of churches on mission together, the work of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina is organized into five groups, each headed by a director of that ministry area. The five groups that make up the convention’s structure aim to connect churches and associations to relationships and resources that fuel missions partnerships across the state and around the world.
John Butler serves as director of the Operations group. He oversees the work of accounting, church benefits, human resources, facilities and camps and conference centers.
We asked the five directors to tell us about their work and a bit about themselves. Here’s what John shared.
Describe your role with North Carolina Baptists.
I serve as the chief operations officer and chief financial officer for the convention. Most of the business aspects of our ministries run through the Operations group, including our camps and conference centers.
Tell us about your group’s mission.
Our mission statement in Operations is simple: We exist to serve Christ, serve our churches, and serve our staff.
What about your group are you most excited about for 2022?
We are most excited about having the opportunity to help our new structure thrive as we truly become a movement of churches on mission together.
What are you currently reading? Tell us a little bit about it.
I am somewhat of a history buff and am currently reading “Accidental Presidents: Eight Men Who Changed America” by Jared Cohen. While it is not written from a religious/theological perspective, if one understands that all authority comes from our Heavenly Father, the stories become a fascinating look at how God was working to bring about His plans in our country through even the most difficult circumstances and through men who usually had no idea that God was orchestrating all of the events for His purposes.
What book (other than the Bible) has helped shape you most or left the biggest impact on you? How so?
No question that it would be Oswald Chambers’ “My Utmost For His Highest” devotional. I have worked through this devotional every year for decades and continue to be amazed at the new insights I gain every year into the power of a life totally surrendered to Christ.
If you could share a meal with any three people who have ever lived, who would they be and why?
Other than Jesus Christ, I would probably choose to have a meal with His earthly father, Joseph, with Abraham Lincoln and with General George Patton. All of these men faced enormous challenges and their responses to those challenges literally changed the world in ways they could not have foreseen at the time.
If you could spend two weeks anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?
On a cruise of the Mediterranean (with all of my family, of course). There is so much history, culture and beauty at this juncture of three continents that I would love to experience it all with the people I love the most.
Share three fun facts about your family.
- We have never missed having a vacation together at the beach in over 35 years!
- I spent two weeks with my oldest daughter, Carrie, touring Europe on her fall break during her college years, staying in hostels and sleeping on trains – I was by FAR the oldest person in every hostel we stayed in!
- My youngest daughter, Melea, was born in China, and we ushered in the new millennium with her when we went there to bring her home!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Read other entries in the series: Brian Upshaw | Chuck Register | Kathryn Carson | Seth Brown
