September 17, 2024
WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — With a long agenda for consideration, the Executive Committee of the Georgia Baptist Convention met for its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, Sept. 10, at Central Baptist Church in Warner Robins.
Stephen Fountain, chairman of the Executive Committee, opened the meeting followed by a greeting from Stephen Byrd, lead pastor of Central Baptist. Shane Roberson, Senior Pastor of Maysville Baptist Church began the meeting with the challenge to never be distracted or confused about our mission.
“Our primary mission is clear…to share the gospel with a lost and dying world,” shared Roberson. “It’s easy to be distracted from the noise around us. We must stay focused on the mission Christ has set before us…to seek and save the lost.”
Roberson admonished those in attendance with Paul’s words from Galatians 6:9, reminding us to never grow tired or distracted. “May we never lose sight of our mission, regardless of the direction in which our culture may move,” he concluded.
Pastor Roberson was followed by several presentations including Administration Committee’s findings and recommendations to the Executive Committee. Tim Oliver, chairman of the Administration Committee presented the following:
Send Network Georgia
Oliver avowed, “We need more solidly biblical, Christ-honoring Baptist churches in our communities.” This simple statement led to an exciting announcement regarding the establishment of Send Network Georgia, a church-planting partnership between the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and North American Mission Board.
W. Thomas Hammond, Jr., Executive Director of the GBMB, along with Kevin Ezell, president of NAMB, expanded on the joint venture focused on church planting throughout Georgia.
Ezell shared, “We are doing this together. NAMB is not taking this to do it. There is a direct correlation (of success) between a state executive who owns it and NAMB’s abilities.”
“Population has increased in Georgia over the last 10 years, but church planting efforts in the state have not kept up with that pace,” Hammond added. “Send Network Georgia will allow us to increase the number of churches planted statewide.”
Georgia joins eight other Southern states with similar NAMB partnerships. Send Network Georgia will include collaborative work focused on identifying church planting opportunities, forming sending-church partnerships, assessing and training church planters, and supporting new plants to expand Kingdom impact throughout the state.
Executive Committee and Georgia Baptist Convention Bylaws
After an initial vote of a first draft by messengers at last year’s Georgia Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, the Administration Committee has continued to receive suggested updates and review operating documents for the Executive Committee and the Georgia Baptist Convention. The 11-member committee presented revised documents to the Executive Committee that include revisions ensuring that Georgia Baptist churches are protected and our entities are in lockstep with Georgia Baptist values. These documents will strengthen the relationship with all of our entities.
The Executive Committee unanimously agreed to bring the amended recommendations to messengers at the Annual Meeting this November in Statesboro.
Camp Kaleo
During the meeting, the Executive Committee affirmed the Administration Committee’s recommendation to move forward with the closure of Camp Kaleo. The 318-acre property in Forsyth has struggled for many years to cover its operational expenses.
Oliver shared that a study began in early 2023 to examine the viability and effectiveness of the ministry at Camp Kaleo.
“We know for almost 40 years the ministry has seen many lives transformed,” Hammond added.“We are thankful for all who have faithfully served and sacrificed to impact lives for Christ through Camp Kaleo. We know Kaleo’s Kingdom impact will continue for generations.”
“As you can imagine, this was a very difficult decision, but it was based on facts and challenges that are hard to ignore,” shared David Melber, Georgia Baptist Mission Board chief operating officer. “For many years, Camp Kaleo’s operational budget has been subsidized to keep it running. At the same time, significant maintenance and needed capital improvements have been deferred. In recent years, the number of Georgia Baptist churches and campers from Georgia Baptist churches Kaleo serves has been consistently limited. All these factors contributed to making this decision.”
Camp Kaleo will close on or before December 15 with a decision to be made about the property in the future.
GBMB Assistant Director
As part of Hammond’s Executive Director report, he presented Ty Salter as the next Assistant Executive Director of the GBMB. Hammond endorsed Salter’s qualifications and looked ahead to how Salter’s presence will strengthen the Mission Board while allowing him to be present with pastors and associational missionaries in the field.
Salter has served Southern Baptists throughout the country including in Ohio, at the North American Mission Board, and most recently as the Vice President & Chief Credit Officer at The Baptist Foundation of California.
The Assistant Executive Director role has been vacant since Mark Marshall transitioned to leading the Mission Board’s church strengthening team in March.
After relocating from California, Salter will begin his new role in November.
