Tuesday night (Nov. 14) at the Alabama Baptist State Convention annual meeting was a time to “marvel at God’s faithfulness among us” over the past 200 years, said Billy Irvin, director of ministry relations for Faith Radio, who emceed the evening at First Baptist Church Montgomery.
Those present celebrated the convention’s bicentennial by hearing historical accounts and present-day testimonies.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey offered a greeting to start the evening, and a mass choir and orchestra led worship.
Irvin also recognized Alabama Senator Gerald Allen, great-great-great-grandson of the convention’s first president, Charles Crow. Allen’s son, Wes — Alabama’s Secretary of State — was also present and shared why the evening was meaningful for his family.
‘Exceptional’ worship experience
Lonette Berg, executive director of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission, presented current convention president Buddy Champion with a framed certificate to commemorate the occasion — her last presentation before her retirement.
Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, said the celebration “was one of the most exceptional worship experiences I’ve had in my more than 25 years in this position, and I think we did a good job of being able to reflect on our history and anticipate our future.”
“We praise the Lord for it,” he said.
To view more photos from this evening session, click here.
Bicentennial Task Force completes four years of service
The Nov. 14–15 bicentennial commemoration and celebration event came together through the teamwork of the Bicentennial Task Force.
The task force was appointed at the 2019 state convention annual meeting and worked together to pull off a “historic occasion” that brought “honor and glory to our Lord,” said Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions and an ex-officio member of the task force.
Lance said Alabama Baptists “can be proud and grateful for the excellent work of their Bicentennial Task Force,” which was chaired by Greg Corbin, pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Birmingham, and divided into three subgroups.
“These individuals [used]their gifts and their own experiences in Alabama Baptist life to prepare for an appropriate commemoration of our 200th anniversary,” Lance said.
Corbin said being a part of the task force was “a joy.”
He said from the beginning, the team agreed on two broad goals — to remember and give thanks to the Lord for His work among Alabama Baptists for 200 years, and to look forward and challenge Alabama Baptists to keep their focus on fulfilling the Great Commission.
Out of those broad goals emerged themes for the 2022 and 2023 conventions — “Celebrate” and “Unfinished,” Corbin said.
The diverse team worked together “in a wonderful way,” he said. “Each member of the team loves Christ, the local church and Alabama Baptists.”
Serving alongside Corbin and Lance were:
Ex-officio:
- Mike Jackson, SBOM associate executive director.
- Tim Cox, past convention president (2019–2021) and pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Chelsea.
- Buddy Champion, immediate past convention president (2022–2023) and pastor of FBC Trussville.
History Team:
- Lonette Berg (chair), executive director of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission.
- Chip Colee, chief administrative officer of Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries.
- Neal Hughes, director of missions for Montgomery Baptist Association.
- Candace McIntosh, executive director of Alabama Woman’s Missionary Union.
Storytelling Team:
- Jennifer Rash (chair), president and editor-in-chief of TAB Media Group.
- Matt Haines, pastor of Central Park Baptist Church in Decatur.
- Jarman Leatherwood, pastor of House of Hope and Restoration in Huntsville and immediate past convention second vice president (now first vice president).
- Dewayne Rembert, church planting strategist and pastor of Flatline Church at Chisholm in Montgomery.
- Annel Robayna, former intercultural ministries strategist for SBOM.
Program Team:
- Doug Rogers (chair), SBOM director of communications/technology.
- Brittney Gardner, Alabama WMU communications specialist.
- Karen Gosselin, SBOM coordinator of worship resources.
Alabama Baptists experience evening commemorating 200 years of working together
Tuesday night at the Alabama Baptist State Convention annual meeting was a time to “marvel at God’s faithfulness among us” over the past 200 years, said Billy Irvin, director of ministry relations for Faith Radio, who emceed the evening at First Baptist Church Montgomery.
Those present at the Nov. 14 service celebrated the convention’s bicentennial by hearing historical accounts and present-day testimonies.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey offered a greeting to start the evening, and a mass choir and orchestra led worship.
Irvin also recognized Alabama Senator Gerald Allen, great-great-great-grandson of the convention’s first president, Charles Crow.
Allen’s son, Wes — Alabama’s Secretary of State — was also present and shared why the evening was meaningful for his family.
Lonette Berg, executive director of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission, presented convention president Buddy Champion with a framed certificate to commemorate the occasion — her last presentation before her retirement.
‘Exceptional worship’
Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, said the celebration “was one of the most exceptional worship experiences I’ve had in my more than 25 years in this position, and I think we did a good job of being able to reflect on our history and anticipate our future.”
“We praise the Lord for it,” he said.
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