August 1, 2022

By CBF Communications

A longtime staff member who has served the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship for nearly eight years has been named CBF’s new Director of Fellowship Experiences.

Carrie Harris, who previously has served in CBF Identity roles focused on marketing and communications, begins work this month to coordinate all CBF experiences, including events, and particularly General Assembly, with an eye toward delivering compelling experiences that invite members of our Fellowship into relationships of mutual equipping as we seek God’s transformation in the world.   

Harris said she is grateful for the opportunity to serve the Fellowship in new and creative ways and looks forward to the opportunities this role will provide to learn and grow with Cooperative Baptists across the Fellowship.

“I am excited for the chance to reach Cooperative Baptists where they are through CBF events and experiences—inviting them deeper into the CBF family, equipping them through engaging conversations and resources, and transforming together as we continue to be led by the Holy Spirit and center ourselves in Christ’s call to be the church that welcomes all,” Harris said. “My skillset and unique background have prepared me for this new opportunity. I bring energy and passion to this role, as well as a deep knowledge of the Fellowship and CBF Identity, our leadership and staff, State and Regional Organizations, and existing programs, resources and initiatives.”

Harris earned a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts from Catawba College. She has been active in community theatre for years, in both leadership roles of directing and production as well as acting roles.

Jeff Huett, CBF’s Associate Coordinator for Identity and Communications, said Harris has the right combination of skills at just the right time to lead our Fellowship toward even greater opportunities for equipping and community as we seek God’s transformation in the world.  

“Carrie has played a vital role for years in helping our Fellowship – including staff, field personnel, states and regions, partner churches and partner organizations – collaborate to share stories,” Huett said. “This role for Carrie will expand her leadership to further develop opportunities for in-person and virtual gatherings, but more than that, to envision innovative ways for us to equip each other as we grow closer together.”

Paul Baxley, CBF’s Executive Coordinator, said Harris is “uniquely positioned” for this important work of the Fellowship.

“From the very beginning, gatherings like our General Assembly have been essential to the health and vitality of our Fellowship,” Baxley said. “We’ve not only added other in person events over the years, but we’ve also begun to explore the unique power and opportunity of online experiences. Whether in person or virtual, these experiences offer unique ways for us to be invited into much deeper community, be mutually equipped for bold faithfulness and experience transformation in the lives of our congregations and our shared mission around the world.

“Carrie’s gifts, personal qualities and experiences within and beyond her service on our staff uniquely position her for this work, and I am so grateful she has agreed to be our Director of Fellowship Experiences.”

CBF’s Communications Director Aaron Weaver also expressed excitement as Harris begins this new role.

“For the past 8 years, Carrie has been a core member of our communications team, sharing stories daily of how God is at work in the world through the people and congregations of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship,” Weaver said. “Carrie is a gifted communicator, natural leader and a terrific colleague. I’m excited for her as she takes on this new role serving our Fellowship.” 

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CBF is a Christian network that helps people put their faith into practice through ministry eff­orts, global missions and a broad community of support. The Fellowship’s mission is to serve Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission.