Alabama Baptists are “difference makers in a world of indifference,” declared Rick Lance during his executive director’s report to the Alabama Baptist State Convention on Nov. 15.
One set of difference makers are the disaster relief volunteers, he said.
“Alabama will always remember April 27, 2011 — 4–27–11,” he said. “I will always remember the images and experiences of being beside some of these who went way beyond the call of duty.
“There’s no way we can ever say thank you. … No gratitude will ever be enough,” he said as he recognized the “yellow shirt army” for their work following the devastating tornadoes in April.
As attendees gave a standing ovation for the disaster relief volunteers’ efforts, Lance said, “Words can’t express our gratitude and appreciation for all you have done.”
Other difference makers can be found in global missions through Alabama Baptists work with Guatemala, Ukraine, Haiti and Michigan, Lance noted.
And “if you want to be everywhere in the world 24/7, 365 days a year, the Cooperative Program is the way to do that,” he said.
Collegiate and student ministries are another group of difference makers, Lance said.
“They are potentially cumulatively touching the lives of as many as 300,000 students.”
Lance also asked for prayer for church planting efforts in the state.
“Birthing a church is not easy,” he said. “Pray for our church planters and opportunities in Alabama to plant new churches.
“Also pray for church revitalizers,” he added. “We have 3,250 churches already in existence, but many need to be refocused and revitalized. I pray a fresh wind of the Lord’s spirit will pour on our churches that would touch the entire world as we stay on the go and grow for Jesus Christ.”
Wrapping up his report by reading Psalm 133:1–3, Lance reminded Alabama Baptists “we have more in common than we have in terms of differences.”
“We are saved by the same Savior … set apart for the same service … [and] sustained by the same source. … We are a family and families work together.
“Together, we have one mission, the Great Commission … one program, the Cooperative Program … many ministries, Great Commission Ministries.” (Traci C. Gyan and Jennifer Davis Rash)
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