Baptist Union Presidency for Mark Elder

Baptists have discerned that Mark Elder will serve as Baptist Union President in 2027-28

 
Mark, the minister of Tarporley Chapel in Cheshire, was one of four nominated candidates in the latest election, the others being Gale Richards, and Mairi and Graham McBain (for a joint presidency). 

Voting took place in January and closed at the end of March. All candidates were subsequently informed of the result by General Secretary Lynn Green. 

Mark, who is part of the national leadership team of Fresh Streams and the moderator of the North Western Baptist Association, had previously been nominated for the Presidency in 2023. 

‘Three years ago, I was in a similar situation, so I knew the call from Lynn was coming,’ Mark said. ‘My first thought was genuine surprise - I would have happily voted for either of the other candidates, they are great people. 

‘Beyond that, I felt a sense of gratitude—it was a moment where I had to take stock of everyone who has impacted my Christian life and ministry over many years. I feel a deep sense of privilege and honour to serve in this way.’

Mark said he hadn’t anticipated standing for the Presidency again, but had ‘a strong sense in the autumn that there was something on my heart worth sharing’. This has led to his theme ‘Word and Spirit’.

‘Though the news is still a bit overwhelming, I feel a confidence in what God has put on my heart. I think there is a sense of God’s timing at play.

‘I’ve always been a local church minister, but I’ve also maintained a heart for regional impact and national involvement, so I’m looking forward to hanging out with people across our Union and seeing how different groups do life and ministry.’

Mark wants to empower the local church ‘to be all that God wants it to be’. He believes church leaders are under immense pressure to constantly innovate or come up with something new to make a difference.

His focus, however, remains on ‘the things that don't change’: the importance of reading the Bible well and the realisation that all lasting fruit comes through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

‘The core of my message is Word and Spirit,’ he said. ‘In my own ministry, I’ve seen that these two are foundational. We must apply the Word faithfully while relying on the Spirit’s power. I want to revisit these foundations rather than searching for some great new revelation.

‘My primary hope for my presidential year is centred on empowerment. I have never given up my belief in the local church, even though it can be beautiful and frustrating at the same time.

‘If I can be involved in empowering the local church to be all that God wants it to be, then I will feel like this has been a worthwhile experience. It’s about helping the local community of believers find their strength in those foundational truths of Word and Spirit.’

In his presidency profile, Mark explained he became a Christian as a 19-year old, in part through a Christian festival led by the late David Watson, a pioneer of the charismatic movement. 

‘Some of you may remember David who was a hero of mine, and he had a saying which has stayed with me: ‘All word and no Spirit and we dry up; all Spirit and no word and we blow up. But with both word and Spirit we grow up.’ It’s an axiom that has forged my life and shaped my ministry since the beginning, not to mention movements like Fresh Streams (and Mainstream before it). I would love the opportunity as President to travel round our Baptist family and talk about how a renewed emphasis on both might play a greater part at the heart of our movement.’

He adds, ‘I’m currently in a year of preparation before officially taking up the post in 2027-28. During that time, I hope to continue refining these thoughts. I’m also looking forward to travelling, meeting new people, and seeing what God is doing in different parts of the country.’


 

Mark will serve as President in 2027-28. Alex Afriyie will be inducted as President 2026-27 at the forthcoming Baptist Assembly in Harrogate.  

There were no presidential nominations for 2025-26, meaning this has been a fallow year. 

The President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain is elected annually. Their main role is as a communicator/facilitator of our Union’s vision and mission. The President travels around our Union, engaging with local churches, regional Associations and Colleges.