The Presbyterian Church in Ireland last night elected Dr John Lockington as its new moderator. He will take over from Dr John Dixon in June.
Dr Lockington (54), who was born in Belfast, is considered to be a conservative.
He received the vote of 10 of the church's 21 presbyteries. His support came from Armagh, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Coleraine and Derry, Strabane, Foyle, Iveagh, Newry, Templepatrick and Tyrone.
The second-highest vote was secured by Dr Trevor Morrow, a minister in Lucan, Co Dublin. He was supported by six presbyteries, including three from the Republic.
Dr Lockington was educated at Queen's University Belfast and has a PhD in Church Law. He has also studied at the American Bible College. His ministry began as an assistant minister in Ballysillan, north Belfast, before he was moved to Co Down and later to Armagh.
He has been minister of Gardenmore Presbyterian Church in Larne, Co Antrim, for the past 10 years. He is married with three grown-up children. His son, Stephen, is assistant minister in Ebrington in Derry. His two daughters are student teachers in Scotland.
Dr Lockington's interests are stamp-collecting and football. He enjoys watching Linfield play at Windsor Park.
Speaking after his election last night, he said he saw his role as "trying to minister to people to bring them into a right relationship with Jesus Christ".