Georgia Baptists at their best when they work together, say annual meeting speakers

SNELLVILLE, Ga. — Christians have a sacred responsibility not only to get the gospel to people all over the world but also be people of godly character back home.

Those were among the takeaways from challenging sermons preached by Jason Dees, pastor of Christ Covenant in Atlanta, and Chuck Chambers, senior pastor of Woolsey Baptist Church in Fayette County on the opening night of the Georgia Baptist Convention’s annual meeting.

President Josh Saefkow pounded a gavel shortly after 6 p.m. Monday to signal the start of the 2023 annual meeting of the state’s largest religious group, which has 1.2 million members, all of whom were called to work together to share the gospel in their local communities, across the state, throughout the nation, and around the world.

“I love that we are partnering together, as men and women who love the Lord, to see the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ going beyond anything we could do individually,” Dees said.

Messengers from congregations across the state have arrived at the Church on Main in Snellville for the meeting that will include the election of officers, adoption of a budget, and a vote on a proposal to update the convention’s 200-year-old governing documents.

Saefkow made the focus of the meeting, which runs through Tuesday evening, “Calling Out the Called” in an effort to emphasize the importance of identifying and preparing the state’s next generation of pastors, missionaries, evangelists and other church leaders.

Dees shared three observations from Acts 1, telling Georgia Baptists that Jesus has called them to a “bold obedience” and warned them that security can hamper their willingness to go where they’re called.

Dees challenged Georgia Baptists to pray a simple prayer to God: “I will go wherever you want me to go.”

Chambers based his message on Titus 1, telling Geogia Baptists that character matters.

“It is our character that empowers our ministry,” he said. “Character is the foundation that really undergirds our entire ministry.”

Being people of godly power gives pastors credibility not only with their congregations but also their families.

“The footprint of your building is not nearly as importnat as the footprints you’re leaving for your children,” he said.

Chambers walked pastors through a long list of character traits that scripture says should belong to church leaders, including not being arrogant, quick tempered, greedy, nor violent.

“Do you know that words can hit as hard as fists, and social media has provided a platform that has led to a lot of fists being thrown,” he said.

Instead, Chambers said church leaders should be holy, faithful, hospitable, lovers of that which is good, people who exercise self-control.

“If you’re pursuing godly character, you’re more successful brothers than you know,” he said.