Baptist Communicators Association selects new executive director

For Immediate Release | September 17, 2026

JACKSON, Tenn. — The Baptist Communicators Association (BCA) is announcing the selection of veteran communicator Meredith Flynn as the group's next executive director.

Flynn has served in Southern Baptist communications for more than 15 years, previously working as communications specialist for the Illinois Baptist State Association and later as managing editor of the Illinois Baptist newspaper. She also served a term as BCA's Membership Vice President.

"I am so thankful for this opportunity to serve the Baptist Communicators Association, an organization with a faithful legacy of connecting storytellers who have as their chief aim to glorify God," Flynn said.

"I have been greatly encouraged over the years by BCA members who are tireless in their commitment to share how God is working around the world. I'm looking forward to continuing our association's efforts to foster gospel-fueled community among this group of hardworking professionals."

Flynn began serving as executive director-elect on Sept. 1 and will be confirmed to the position after a vote by BCA members at their spring workshop next April.

Per BCA bylaws, a search committee was formed to select the next executive director candidate after former executive director Margaret Colson announced her retirement at the 2026 BCA spring workshop in April. Colson had served in the role since 2008.

The search committee was composed of the BCA executive committee, made up of several current BCA officers and two lifetime BCA members.

The eight-member search committee met throughout the summer to interview candidates before ultimately choosing Flynn for the position.

BCA President Kathleen Sparks spoke about the work of the search committee and the selection of Flynn.

"Our dedicated search committee spent three months rooted in prayer, seeking the Lord's direction for who would take the reins and guide BCA into the coming days," Sparks said. "Every candidate who applied was more than capable of leading this organization forward, and we are grateful for each person who prayerfully considered the role.

"It's undeniable that Meredith radiates joy in the Lord. She thinks and speaks in a Christ-first, Christ-forward manner, and she carries a rare combination for this role: well versed in Southern Baptist life, fluent in the world of communications, and marked by a zeal and effervescence that is contagious. In the end, our committee's vote for her was unanimous, and I could not be more genuinely excited to watch her step into this role and see what lies ahead for BCA."

Chris Turner, BCA president-elect, was chosen to serve as chairman of the search committee. He echoed the sentiments of Sparks about the process of the committee and Flynn's appointment.

"We were fortunate to begin the search process with excellent applicants; all qualified, all with impressive resumes and all quality individuals," Turner said. "This focused us as a search committee. We agreed in advance on every step of the interview process. I was pleased with the unity of spirit and unity in prayer as we individually prayed over the applicants' interviews, then discussed them collectively. After much discussion we each blindly submitted our choice, and Meredith was a unanimous selection on our first vote.

"I'd like to thank all the applicants and congratulate Meredith on being selected as our executive director-elect. We are looking forward to her leadership, and I'm personally looking forward to working with her in the future."

In addition to her professional work, Flynn comes from a strong Southern Baptist background.

Flynn is a graduate of Mississippi College and served as a missionary with the North American Mission Board in New York and San Diego. She also holds a degree from the University of Missouri's School of Journalism.

Flynn works as director of admissions for Springfield Christian School in Illinois. She and her husband, Chris, are the parents of two daughters and are active members of Delta Church in Springfield.

As BCA is in a season of transition, one of the group's focuses is connecting with and building up the younger generation of Baptist communicators.

Flynn voiced her excitement about the chance to serve BCA in this way.

"BCA is dedicated to growing our membership as we build relationships with the next generation of Baptist communicators," Flynn said.

"These innovative students and young professionals are a joy to those of us who are more seasoned. I'm looking forward to our upcoming opportunities to gather as we seek to grow in our vocations and our callings."

Flynn's first appearance at an official BCA event will take place at the group's upcoming fall forum. The forum, revamped as an in-person event with a focus on student engagement, will take place at Union University Oct. 22-23.