The South Carolina Baptist Convention website is reporting that Gary L. Hollingsworth, senior pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, Ark., is the choice of a search committee seeking a new SCBC executive director-treasurer.

South Carolina Baptist messengers will gather Thursday, Jan. 14, at 1:30 p.m. at Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia to consider electing Hollingsworth to the position vacated by the retirement of Jim Austin in October 2014.

[ Interim executive Richard Harris affirms search committee’s choice of Hollingsworth ]

Hollingsworth has served at Immanuel Church for eight years. Prior to that, he was senior director of cultural evangelism for the North American Mission Board.

[ Watch a video message from Gary Hollingsworth ]

The SCBC website reports that Immanuel Baptist Church has experienced “sustained growth and financial strength” through Hollingsworth’s leadership. “He is an aggressive supporter of church plants, has overseen the church’s mission team in advancing international missions, and is a supporter of the Cooperative Program,” the story reports.

“Dr. Hollingsworth is a God-led spiritual leader, skilled with spreading the Gospel and serving Christ through evangelistic preaching, consistent church growth, supporting church plants, and providing pastoral care with a passion for church plants and church revitalization,” the SCBC story said. “He is a proven financial steward with a dedicated commitment to missions through support of the Cooperative Program. He has experience leading a staff to full potential by supporting individuals to maximize their God-given talents, and he has been successful as a results-oriented, creative thinker with a heart for people.”

Hollingsworth has served in various capacities for the Alabama State Board of Missions, the North American Mission Board, the Arkansas Baptist Convention, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Highlights of his ministerial experience include:

Senior director of cultural evangelism, North American Mission Board, 2005-2007
Senior pastor, First Baptist Church of Trussville, Ala., 1995-2005
Senior pastor, First Baptist Church of Alexandria, Va., 1991-1995
Senior Pastor, Shively Baptist Church of Louisville, Ky., 1989-1991
Associate pastor for administration, Central Baptist Church of Oak Ridge, Tenn., 1987-1989
Minister to students, Rehoboth Baptist Church of Atlanta, Ga., 1984-1987
Minister to students, Dauphin Way Baptist Church of Mobile, Ala., 1979-1981

Hollingsworth is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a B.S. in recreation administration. He holds a master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctor of ministry degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.