The gavel has sounded, signaling the close of the 2021 Alabama Baptist State Convention Annual Meeting. 

New convention officers were elected, which include Trussville’s Buddy Champion as president, Ranburne’s Morgan Bailey as first vice president and Huntsville’s Jarman Leatherwood as second vice president. 

Champion said he plans to name the members of the newly approved Sexual Abuse Task Force by the end of the month.

Resolutions on abortion and race were among the five resolutions approved overwhelmingly by messengers, who also heard from Baptist Campus Minister Zachary Beasley and First Baptist Church of Opelika’s Jeff Meyers.

Messengers also heard from Daphne Robinson, who delivered Judson’s final report and Beck Taylor, Samford’s new president, as well as Lonnie Burnett from University of Mobile. 

And on a fun note, those in attendance sang happy birthday to beloved Alabama pianist Frank Jones at the start of the session, who decided to kick off his 70th birthday by playing the pre-session music. 

For more details on the goings on, check us out at tabonline.org and read a full report in the next issue of The Alabama Baptist.