Alabama Baptists have much to celebrate at the Nov. 18–19 state convention annual meeting at First Baptist Church, Montgomery, according to President Roger Willmore and State Board of Missions (SBOM) Executive Director Rick Lance.
“We will look forward to celebrating the $1 billion mark in giving through the Cooperative Program (CP) since 1925,” Lance said. “Also Alabama Baptists will have the opportunity to approve a record-setting Cooperative Program base budget goal of $46 million. This unanimous recommendation comes from the SBOM and its executive committee.”
Through the CP, Willmore said Alabama Baptists advance the kingdom of God.
“Just think about having 5,300 vocational missionaries working with more than 1,100 people groups in countries all around the world,” Willmore said. “Just think about the impact of this work last year when our IMB (International Mission Board) missionaries and their national partners reported … 25,497 new church starts and 609,968 baptisms. This is a result of the cooperative effort of all Southern Baptists. All who have given through the Cooperative Program share in this ministry.”
This year, the convention will continue its mission to help Alabama Baptists fulfill the Great Commission with the LEADERconnect emphasis. Lance added that convention messengers will be able to see results of this emphasis firsthand as state convention entities share stories of how the Lord has used and blessed them during the past year.
The Tuesday evening service will be headlined by popular radio host Rick Burgess of the Rick & Bubba Show.
“Rick is a Christian leader with a powerful testimony for the Lord,” Lance said. “We hope all messengers and many guests will be present for this meaningful time of worship.”
Prior to Burgess’ message, vocalist Kevin Derryberry will present a concert with the Alabama Singing Men and Alabama Singing Women.
Lance said messengers will also have the opportunity to vote on a matter jointly proposed by the SBOM and the education commission concerning funding for Christian higher education.
“A proposed funding cap for Samford University is a major part of this recommendation,” he said. “If approved, this action will benefit Judson College and the University of Mobile in 2009 and beyond.”
Willmore, pastor of Deerfoot Baptist Church, Trussville, in Birmingham Baptist Association, expects the annual meeting to be a time of reflection and continued focus on Christ and His mission for Alabama Baptist churches and their denomination.
“I am hopeful that the convention will be a time for all Alabama Baptists to reflect upon God’s goodness to us, for the opportunities He has given to us to serve Him and for the spiritual health of the state convention,” he said.
“Alabama Baptists have avoided the skirmishes that adversely affected some of our brothers and sisters in other states. We have kept our eyes on the Lord, on the Great Commission, on faithful service and on our rich heritage as Southern Baptists.”
Scheduled to deliver his final president’s address, Willmore said this year’s annual meeting will be bittersweet for him. “I have the privilege of serving with some of the best folk in the world,” he said.
Still Willmore looks forward to devoting more time to his Deerfoot family, whom he credits with providing him the love and support necessary to fulfill the president’s role.
Lance said Willmore has been a servant leader in the convention for the past two years. “Roger has availed himself to Alabama Baptists in every possible way during his tenure,” Lance said. “He is a leader in whom we can take pride.”
For more information about the annual meeting, visit www.alsbom.org.
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