Rick Lance said the Alabama Baptist State Convention annual meeting every November is like a family gathering.
And this year, that gathering is kicking off a year of celebrating 200 years of being a family.
“We want to highlight the cooperative ways we are working together to fulfill the Great Commission through God’s people who are the local church, through state convention entities and through the ministries of your Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions,” said Lance, SBOM executive director. “We have so much to celebrate.”
Shades Mountain to host
This year’s meeting — set for Nov. 15–16 at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham — will be the state convention’s 199th, and “Celebrate” will be the theme as Alabama Baptists look toward their bicentennial.
Buddy Champion, state convention president and pastor of First Baptist Church Trussville, said the theme will be fun to unfold during the gathering.
“I sense a positive outlook for the future of Alabama Baptists,” he said.
Over the past year as Champion has met with ministries and entities around the state, “it’s been incredibly impressive to see their focus and hard work and diligence,” he said.
Encouraging, exciting
He noted it’s also been encouraging to welcome some “great new team members” to SBOM.
“It’s exciting to see the quality of missionaries that we have,” he said. “I think that will increase the footprint of our ministry around the state and the world.”
Champion also believes it will be encouraging for messengers to hear the report of the Sexual Abuse Task Force and learn how SBOM and Alabama Baptist entities have “worked so hard reviewing their policies and procedures.”
“They have a great report prepared that will demonstrate the diligence of our entities and all they’re doing to protect the innocent,” Champion said. “There’s an overarching optimism in the state of Alabama in how we’re approaching ministry and the future.”
Annual business
During the meeting, messengers will also elect convention officers and adopt the Cooperative Program budget for next year.
Lance said messengers will have an opportunity to hear some “superb speakers” including Willie McLaurin, interim president of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee; Robert Smith Jr., professor of Christian preaching and the Charles T. Carter Baptist chair of divinity at Beeson Divinity School; Champion as he gives his president’s address; and Joel Carwile, pastor of First Baptist Church Athens, who will give the convention sermon.
“The biblical theme of Psalm 100 will likewise be celebrated as we ‘make a joyful noise unto the Lord’ in times of musical praise,” Lance said. “Hopefully many churches in our state convention family will elect messengers and join the celebration in November at Shades Mountain Baptist Church.”
Meetings set to coincide with upcoming state convention
Alabama Church Planter Network — The Alabama Church Planter Network will hold a dinner Nov. 13 at Raleigh Avenue Baptist Church in Birmingham, 5–9 p.m. For more information, visit plantalabama.org/event/church-planter-network-dinner-3.
Alabama Baptist Conference of Associational Leaders annual meeting — ABCAL members will meet Nov. 14 at Shades Crest Baptist Church in Hoover, 8–11:30 a.m.
Unite: A Gathering of Alabama Baptist College Ministry Leaders — The Unite event will be held Nov. 14 at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham, Dobbins 535, 4–8 p.m. The theme will be “Calling — Preparing our students for leveraging their lives for the gospel.” Guest speaker will be Jeff Iorg, president of Gateway Seminary. For more information or to register, visit bcmlink.org/event/unite-2.
Timothy Initiative — This group will meet Nov. 14 at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham, Dobbins 644, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Alabama Singing Men/Women — Alabama Singing Men and Women will hold a fellowship banquet Nov. 14 at First Baptist Church Birmingham, 6:15 p.m.
Community Ministry Meeting (formerly ANCCM) — This group will gather Nov. 14 at Birmingham Metro Baptist Association, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Contact Kristy Kennedy at 334-613-2311 or kkennedy@alsbom.org to reserve a spot.
Passion Tree — This group will hold a luncheon Nov. 15 in the student building worship room at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham, 12–1 p.m. For more information, email robert@crossroads.family.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary — New Orleans Seminary will hold an alumni luncheon Nov. 15 at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham, Dobbins 614, 12–1 p.m. Bo Rice, NOBTS graduate dean, will share reports and testimonies. For more information or to register, visit brushfire.com/nobts/alabamaalumni/538277.
Samford University — Samford University will hold an alumni fellowship breakfast Nov. 15 at Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Dobbins 614, 7–8 a.m. Samford President Beck Taylor will be the speaker.
ALCAP — Alabama Citizens Action Program will hold a lunch for pastors Nov. 15 at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham, fifth floor commons area, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Contact ALCAP at 205-985-9062 to reserve your spot.
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary — SWBTS will hold an alumni and friends luncheon Nov. 15 at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham, 12 p.m. For reservations or information email Bill Johnston at bill.johnston1955@gmail.com.
GuideStone — GuideStone will hold a Preparing for Retirement breakfast seminar Nov. 16, at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham, Dobbins 614, 7–8 a.m.
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