Daniel McKay is the new associate pastor for teaching and connections at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church.

McKay, whose position was made official on Sunday, Feb. 28, is replacing John Whitten, who was named senior pastor last fall. McKay and his wife, Anna, were in all four services at Pioneer Drive on Sunday.

The final vote was a long time coming. The visit by Daniel and Anna McKay, followed by a congregational vote, was supposed to have taken place on Feb. 14, but was postponed due to the winter storm. The McKays next were scheduled to be at the church Feb. 21, but that trip also was postponed. Now that the move is official, McKay will be on staff in mid-late March, Whitten announced.

In early February, the Personnel Committee, chaired by Mike Daggs, notified the congregation via email that McKay was their choice to be the new associate pastor. 

“For the last six months we have been diligently praying for the person who would fill the role of “Associate Pastor, Teaching and Connections,” the email stated. 

The process began in September when a Search Committee, chaired by Katy Hibbs, was appointed. That committee scoured more than 25 applications and narrowed the list to three final candidates to submit to the Personnel Committee. 

“Once the final three candidates were submitted to the Personnel Committee, the Personnel Committee then conducted an extensive interview with each finalist,” the committee’s email stated. 

McKay is from Kilgore and holds a bachelor of arts in biblical studies from LeTourneau University in Longview. He graduated from Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary with his master of divinity degree. McKay has served in various ministry capacities: as an intern at First Baptist Longview, as senior pastor of Friedens Church in Riesel, and most recently as associate pastor at First Baptist Granbury. 

“We believe Daniel’s solid theology, gifted communication ability, pastor’s heart, and desire to serve the church will help Pioneer Drive fulfill her mission in even greater ways in the years ahead,” the personnel committee email stated. 

Anna McKay has spent time in vocational ministry and holds degrees from Baylor and Dallas Baptist University in child and family studies and Christian education.