Come Nov. 16, it’ll be time for Travis Coleman to hand over the gavel as Alabama Baptist State Convention president. And when he does he’ll do it with a sense of joy at what he’s seen God do in the past two years.
“It is such a blessing to see Alabama Baptists working together in partnership,” said Coleman, pastor of First Baptist Church, Prattville.
Behind the scenes work
“It’s so rewarding watching them come together for the cause of the Kingdom and use their abilities and interests for a common cause — to see Christ proclaimed and lives transformed and make a difference in our generation.”
As he has traveled the state this year, Coleman said he’s loved attending meetings and watching state missionaries at work behind the scenes of Alabama Baptist life.
And, he said, he’s been impressed with their stewardship.
“They have to make hard decisions because of funding, but they are working hard to make the name of Christ known through whatever assignment they have,” he said. “I’ve been very impressed with how our Cooperative Program monies are used wisely — there’s careful thought to this. Across the board, I see our men and women taking seriously the stewardship of that money.”
And at the 2016 state convention annual meeting, messengers will get to hear the “wonderful stories of lives being changed” through the careful use of those funds, Coleman said.
“It’s not just the numbers we’ll hear — it’s people telling stories of how Christ has made a difference in their life,” he said.
Coleman said he wanted to applaud Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM), along with SBOM’s office of global missions and Alabama Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) for their diligent work in putting together the Myers-Mallory State Missions Offering.
The new offering, collected all year but emphasized for the first time this year in mid-September with a week of prayer, funds Alabama WMU, disaster relief, church planting, church revitalization and global partnership missions.
“What a win-win for Alabama Baptists,” Coleman said. “And what an impact it could have as we give more money.”
Because of SBOM’s hard work in promoting the offering, Coleman said his church gave more in the week of prayer than they did for both the last WMU and disaster relief offerings combined.
“I know for us the publicity pieces and videos used to express the heart behind the offering made a difference in understanding,” he said.
Lance said he appreciated Coleman’s encouragement during his two years of service.
“Travis Coleman is a 21st century Barnabas,” he said. “He has a ministry of encouragement to people of all walks of life and those from all age groups. His servant-spirit has been a noteworthy example for us all.”
Coleman has been attentive to the responsibilities of representing state ministry, Lance said. “Alabama Baptists have been served well by Dr. Travis Coleman as our president.”
And Coleman said he’s been grateful for the opportunity to do just that.
“I’ve appreciated being an ambassador for the State Board of Missions and state convention,” Coleman said. “It’s been a privilege to serve these two years and get to go around the state in various capacities speaking, attending conferences and having the opportunity to preach.”
He also said he’s grateful for the support he’s had back home.
‘Greater family’
“I also appreciate First Baptist Church, Prattville, and the patience and support of the church and staff members while I’ve been away to serve the greater family of Alabama Baptists,” he said.
The upcoming state convention annual meeting is set for Nov. 15–16 at Eastmont Baptist Church, Montgomery. For more information, visit www.alsbom.org/convention.
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