Nearly 1,000 preregistered to attend next week's Georgia Baptist annual meeting

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The Georgia Baptist Convention's annual meeting begins next week at Jonesboro's First Baptist Church.



By ROGER ALFORD
The Christian Index

JONESBORO, Ga. – Georgia Baptist leaders are expecting one of the largest crowds in recent history at their annual meeting next week.

Nearly 1,000 people had preregistered as of Monday for the two-day meeting at First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, leading to predictions that as many as 1,500 to 2,000 people may attend.

“Excitement seems to be building,” said Georgia Baptist Convention President Kevin Williams, pastor of First Baptist Church of Villa Rica. “There are many issues that we’re facing in the Southern Baptist world, and we want to make sure we stay focused on evangelism and missions.”

The Georgia Baptist Convention, made up of 3,600 churches with 1.4 million members, holds a business meeting each fall. People attend from across the state, drawn as much by the fellowship, preaching and singing as by any business matters on the agenda.

“What I hope to see in this meeting is Georgia Baptists united together, getting refocused on the mandate God gave us,” Williams said.

Preachers will include Pastor Ken Bevel from Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Pastor Kyle Walker from First Baptist Church in Cartersville, and Pastor Herb Reavis from First Baptist Church in North Jacksonville, Fla.

Georgia Baptist Mission Board Executive Director Thomas Hammond will give a report on many of the initiatives that are strengthening churches and pastors to reach the state with the gospel.

Williams will give a presidential address encouraging churches to “refocus” on the Great Commission. Elected last November, Williams is the only announced candidate for the top elected position as he seeks a second term.

Four candidates are expected to be nominated for vice president at the annual meeting: Brian Moore, senior pastor of New Providence Baptist Church in Forsyth; Brian Parker, pastor of First Baptist Church in Kingsland; Rafael Valter, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Ágape in Stone Mountain; and Kyle Walker, senior pastor of Cartersville First Baptist Church.

First Baptist Villa Rica’s worship leader, Mark Camp, along with the church’s praise team and celebration choir will be singing as will The Old Paths Quartet, an Atlanta-based gospel group.

Georgia Baptists who arrive a day early can attend an inspirational rally that begins at 6 p.m. on Nov. 7. The rally will include music by Scott Allred and the Jonesboro Worship Ministry.

For more information about the annual meeting, visit https://gabaptist.org/events/gbc-annual-meeting/.

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