November 5, 2026
WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Georgia Baptists will gather at Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins next week Nov. 8-10 for the 204th annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention, with organizers expecting about 1,200 people to register.
As of Thursday morning, 859 people had registered for the three-day gathering, which will include a missions celebration, evangelism conference, preaching, worship, fellowship, ministry reports, and convention business.
“The Annual Meeting is my favorite time of year,” Georgia Baptist Mission Board Executive Director W. Thomas Hammond Jr. said in a video message “It’s our Georgia Baptist family reunion—a time to reconnect, celebrate what God is doing, and come home encouraged for the work ahead.”
This year’s theme, “WIDE OPEN,” comes from 1 Corinthians 16:9: “for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”
Georgia Baptist Convention President Steve Browning has said the theme points to both the gospel opportunity before Georgia Baptists and the perseverance needed to pursue it.
“Let’s commit to making the most of the wide open door God has given us for the gospel until it reaches the heart, mind, and soul of Georgia,” Browning said when registration opened. “Come to be encouraged and energized as we relentlessly pursue the opportunity before us.”
The meeting begins Sunday evening at 6 p.m. with a Missions Celebration that will include the Next Gen Choir, made up of young people from across Georgia.
Hammond said the service will highlight what Georgia Baptists are doing together to reach the next generation.
Pastor and church planter Vance Pitman will preach during the service, challenging Georgia Baptists to reach Georgia and the world with the gospel.
Monday will begin with the Georgia Baptist Evangelism Conference, scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The conference will include morning workshops, Lunch & Learn sessions, and messages from Frank Cox, D.J. Horton, and Jim Perdue.
The convention session begins at 6 p.m. Monday.
Tommy Fountain Sr., pastor of 1025 Church, and Chip Dean, pastor of First Baptist Church Powder Springs, will preach during the Monday evening session.
Tuesday’s session will include additional convention business, ministry reports, the election of officers, Browning’s presidential address, and Hammond’s executive director’s report. Jimmy Scroggins, pastor of Family Church in West Palm Beach, Florida, will also preach during the meeting.
Hammond said his report will highlight "all the things that God is doing in and through the Georgia Baptist Convention, and where we’re going together to impact lostness here in Georgia and around the world.”
In addition to preaching and convention business, messengers will have opportunities to hear ministry reports, visit exhibits, participate in fellowship events, and learn about resources available to local churches.
Hammond encouraged Georgia Baptists to attend. “Even if you can only join us for part of the meeting, I hope you’ll make plans to come,” he said. “There is much to celebrate and meaningful work for us to do together.”
Hammond closed his message with gratitude. “November, of course, is Thanksgiving month, and I am grateful, thankful for you and all that God’s doing in and through your ministry to impact Georgia.”
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