2027 EFCA Presidential Nominee: Rev. Carlton P. Harris

It is the responsibility of the Board of Directors to recommend a candidate for election as EFCA President by credentialed delegates at the EFCA Conference. The candidate must then be elected by the Conference delegates. The presidential term is six years.

Article IV, A, 1 of the EFCA Bylaws states: “The President shall be elected, upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of at least three-fourths of the votes cast at a Conference, for a term of six years.” 

The Board of Directors appointed a Presidential Search Committee to review all available materials from past EFCA presidential searches and develop a process and timeline for due diligence both for this search and as a template for future presidential searches. The committee developed a presidential profile, application, process and timeline that was approved by the Board of Directors.  

Because Carlton had been asked to fulfill the remainer of Kevin Kompelien’s presidential term with no assumption that he would automatically be the candidate, the Board utilized the position profile and search process to evaluate him for candidacy as a targeted first stage. As communicated at the time of his appointment as acting president, Carlton was not assumed to be a candidate but was also not precluded from being considered. The targeted initial stage of the search also gave Carlton and Carol time to go through a discernment process.  

Carlton completed a full application, which included in-person interviews with the search committee and then with the Board of Directors. With two years of performance evaluation, the Board had first-hand experience of Carlton’s leadership. Still, the explicit process was invaluable in gaining clarity and confidence. The committee retained the services of one of the nation’s leading search firms, Carter Baldwin, to develop and deliver an executive profile for Carlton. The committee also utilized materials from the NL Moore and Associates’ 2021 search for the EFCA’s executive vice president of national ministries, which resulted in Carlton joining the EFCA. Access to profiles completed by two top-tier search firms gave the Board greater confidence, highlighting his strengths, personality and leadership. 

In early 2024, the Board of Regents at Trinity International University formally requested the EFCA Board of Directors release Kevin Kompelien from his role as President of the EFCA to serve as the 17th President of Trinity International University.

As a result, the EFCA Board of Directors appointed Carlton Harris, then Executive Vice President of National Ministries, as Acting President of the EFCA to fulfill the remainder of Kevin Kompelien’s elected term.

Read the announcement about the 2024 presidential transition.

The Board of Directors, through its Search Committee, sought input from key stakeholders at every level of the EFCA in preparing the Presidential Profile. Input was sought in three primary areas: (1) what are the characteristics and qualities the Board ought to look for in the next EFCA President; (2) what are the unique challenges and opportunities that come with this position; and (3) what recommendations do you have for specific questions that should be asked of the presidential candidate.

Input was requested, and received, from multiple sources including church leaders, representatives of ReachNational and ReachGlobal, District Superintendents, former and current Board of Director members, and former and current members of the administrative/leadership team.  

Under President, Article IV. A. of the Evangelical Free Church of America Bylaws states: 

1. Election and Removal.  

The President shall be elected, upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of at least three-fourths of the votes cast at a Conference, for a term of six years. Prior to assuming office, and continuing throughout the entire term of office, the President shall hold a Certificate of Ordination in good standing with the EFCA. The President may be suspended or removed by the Board of Directors for doctrinal or moral error that would justify a suspension or revocation of EFCA ministry credentials. In other cases, the President may be removed, upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors, by a majority vote of the Conference.  

2. Authority and Responsibilities.  

The President shall devote full time to the EFCA and shall:

• be the chief executive officer of the EFCA;
• be a member of the Board of Directors;
• be an ex-officio member of all other EFCA boards and standing committees; and
• report to each Conference on the work of the EFCA.  

3. Accountability.  

The President shall be accountable to the Board of Directors and the Conference. 

Read the Evangelical Free Church of America Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.

The Board has full confidence that Carton Harris is the man God has called to serve the EFCA as its President. As James 4 says, none of us knows what tomorrow will bring, but as the Lord wills it we will live. The term for EFCA President is six years, but the Board works with and evaluates the President continuously. Our biennial EFCA One Conference provides a good pattern for evaluating the future, and we will walk forward in faith that the Lord will grant wisdom.

The EFCA president is elected by voting delegates of a biennial General Conference. This governing body is comprised of various members who are in good standing of Evangelical Free Churches.  

Article II of the Evangelical Free Church of America’s Bylaws states:  

A. Purpose and Authority  

The EFCA shall convene a Conference, hereafter in these Bylaws referred to as the Conference, in every odd-numbered year, and when the Board of Directors considers it advisable, in any even numbered year. The purposes of the Conference shall be electing directors, receiving reports on the activities and financial condition of the EFCA, and considering and acting on other matters as may be raised consistent with relevant notice requirements. The Board of Directors may provide that any Conference may be held by one or more means of remote communication or that delegates not physically present may participate by means of remote communication. The Conference shall be the highest decision-making body of the EFCA.  

B. Membership  

1. Composition.  

The following persons shall be voting members of the Conference, provided in each case that that person is a member in good standing of an Evangelical Free church:  

• Delegates appointed by each Evangelical Free church, consisting of two delegates for the first one hundred (or fraction of one hundred) members of that church plus one additional delegate for each additional one hundred (or fraction of one hundred) members of that church.
• The lead or senior pastor of each Evangelical Free church provided that the lead or senior pastor holds ministerial credentials in good standing with the EFCA. For the purposes of these Bylaws, the term “ministerial credentials” refers to a Certificate of Ordination, Certificate of Christian Ministry or Ministry License.
• Members of the EFCA Network who hold a ministerial credential in good standing with the EFCA or have been granted life membership in the EFCA Network. 
• Missionaries commissioned by the EFCA, church planters approved by the districts of the EFCA who hold ministerial credentials in good standing with the EFCA, and chaplains who hold ministerial credentials in good standing with the EFCA and are endorsed by the EFCA.
• Members of the General Board.
• Members of the faculties of Trinity International University who have been granted tenure. 

2. Duration.  

Members of the Conference shall retain their membership in the Conference from one Conference to the convening of the next Conference. 

Read the Evangelical Free Church of America Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.