Members of the Baptist Union of Great Britain have voted for Mark Elder, minister of Tarporley Chapel in Cheshire, to be president for 2027/2028 after a controversial election cycle.
“Thank you so much for your participation, it is a wonderful expression of who we are as Baptists to discern the mind of Christ together,” said the Union’s General Secretary Lynn Green in the announcement emailed to members.
Prior to Elder’s election, one group – Evangelical Baptists – circulated an email to members of the Union noting their ability to vote “none of the above” for the candidates put forward for president. According to the group, none of the proposed candidates, including Elder, reflected “the Biblical truth we are called to contend for.” en contacted Elder but did not receive a response.
Alex Afriyie, the minister of London Network Church (East Acton Baptist), will serve as president of the Union for 2026/2027 before Elder steps into the role next year.
