Using prerecorded messages from denominational leaders, interviews and videos, SBC Advance provided an online ministry update from various Southern Baptist Convention entities on Tuesday (June 2).
The two-hour online event, organized by the SBC Executive Committee, was not intended to replace the 2020 SBC Annual Meeting, canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, but instead to provide Southern Baptists the opportunity to hear how God has continued to work through the SBC, organizers stated.
In opening remarks, Ronnie Floyd, EC president and CEO, addressed racism and the current unrest sweeping across the nation since the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. He called Floyd’s death “another horrendous act of racial injustice.”
“We, the churches in America, are the ones that must be faithful to call upon God to come and to give us His guidance and provide His pathway to healing in our nation,” Floyd said. “We are the ones that must answer this moment.”
SBC President Greear
SBC President J.D. Greear encouraged Southern Baptists to persevere during the national turbulence. He referenced God’s growth of the early Christian church, as recorded in the book of Acts, as evidence of God’s faithfulness.
Greear plans to deliver a full presidential address on Facebook Live on June 9 at 10 a.m. CDT.
State Conventions
The South Carolina Baptist Convention showcased local and national missions fueled by the Cooperative Program.
The SCBC helped various churches survive the economic downturn of COVID-19 and worked to rebuild communities damaged by tornadoes. Through financial gifts, the SCBC helped state conventions in New York and New England reach communities impacted by the coronavirus.
“Our ability to respond is proof that our way of doing ministry through the Cooperative Program really works,” said Gary Hollingsworth, SCBC executive director-treasurer, recognizing the work of 40 other state conventions across the denomination.
Entities, WMU
SBC Advance included reports from International Mission Board President Paul Chitwood, North American Mission Board President Kevin Ezell, GuideStone Financial Resources President O.S. Hawkins, LifeWay Christian Resources President Ben Mandrell and Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission President Russell D. Moore. Woman’s Missionary Union Executive Director/Treasurer Sandy Wisdom-Martin and WMU President Linda Cooper also gave a report.
Presidents of the six Southern Baptist seminaries updated Southern Baptists on their work as well. Although the COVID-19 pandemic forced alterations, the consensus was that the ongoing work of theological education has not been disrupted.
SBC EC Diversity
EC Vice President of Communications Jonathan Howe conducted an online interview with three SBC Executive Committee leaders: Willie McLaurin, SBC EC vice president for Great Commission relations and mobilization; Julio Arriola, SBC EC executive director of Hispanic relations and mobilization; and Peter Yanes, SBC EC executive director for Asian American relations and mobilization. The three men spoke of their passion to mobilize a diversity of Southern Baptists in fulfilling the Great Commission.
Approximately 23 percent of Southern Baptist churches are racially and ethnically diverse, McLaurin reported About 3,500 Southern Baptist churches have majority Hispanic congregations, and Southern Baptist Asian American congregations number about 2,000.
Frank Williams interview
Floyd interviewed New York pastor Frank Williams, who shared the heartbreak of his wife, children and many congregational members contracting COVID-19. Williams serves as pastor of Bronx Baptist Church and Wake Eden Community Baptist Church in the Bronx, a COVID-19 hotspot. Williams recounted the experience of pastoring his congregations as longtime deacon Jeremiah Simpson died from the illness.
Floyd led Southern Baptists in praying for Williams and many other pastors across the nation impacted by the pandemic.
The full SBC Advance is available at SBC.net/Advance.
Share with others: