October 2, 2026
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — The Georgia Baptist Mission Board is encouraging churches across the state to submit their Annual Church Profile as soon as possible. “The ACP,” explained Andy Childs, assistant executive director of the board, “is the single way that we can celebrate what God is doing in every Georgia Baptist church of every size, everywhere in Georgia.”
The Annual Church Profile serves as the official record of a church’s key metrics. According to Bryan Nowak, senior database manager for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, the data collected through the ACP plays a critical role both nationally and locally. “It helps the Southern Baptist Convention understand the impact it is having across the United States,” he said, “Closer to home, it is used to determine the number of qualified messengers to the association and state convention annual meetings.”
Internally, he said, the ACP is “a valuable tool for assessing the current health of a church body as you observe data trends, and a starting point for Holy Spirit directed vision casting for the future.”
While Lifeway Christian Resources compiles final national data in March, GBMB leaders say churches should not delay completing the profile. Early submission helps provide state and associational leaders a clearer picture of what God is doing across Georgia Baptist life.
Nowak said the heart behind the ACP is to celebrate what God is doing and to walk alongside churches in every season, adding that “every person counts in the God’s kingdom, so we are counting on you to report because every church counts!”
Completing the Annual Church Profile is also one of two requirements for a church to be recognized as a cooperating Georgia Baptist church, along with contributing a minimum of $500 annually through approved giving pathways.
Churches can learn more about approved giving pathways at https://gabaptist.org/give/giving-pathways/.
Cooperating churches are eligible to seat messengers at annual meetings, have members serve on Georgia Baptist boards and committees, qualify students for certain scholarships, and be eligible for certain state benefit programs available through GuideStone.
At the same time, Childs is careful to emphasize that every affiliated Georgia Baptist church continues to be served, regardless of cooperating status. “Every affiliated church, every Georgia Baptist church, we still serve them. They can come to Engage Six, ministry couple retreats, conferences — we serve every Georgia Baptist church.” He added the goal “is partnership and coming alongside churches so they can be healthy and thrive.”
The profile includes data on worship attendance, small group involvement, giving, and baptisms. That information, Childs explained, helps the GBMB celebrate ministry successes and identify where churches may benefit from additional encouragement or support.
GBMB staff members will continue contacting churches in the weeks ahead to encourage participation, answer questions, and assist pastors who may need help completing the profile.
The ACP, said Childs, “is not just a bunch of numbers and data. It’s a snapshot, kind of like a checkup of how we’re doing as Georgia Baptists.” And, he stressed, “Every number has a name, and every name has a story behind it.”
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Churches can submit their ACP at https://ga.sbcworkspace.com/. For questions or help submitting an ACP, please contact helpdesk@gabaptist.org.
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