DULUTH — The provisional program for the 197th annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention has been released with a theme of "Mission Possible: Reaching Generation Yet" centered around Psalm 78:1-8.
The gathering to be held Nov. 12-13 at Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins will be preceded by the Inspirational Rally Sunday night that will begin with a welcome from host pastor Jim Perdue and inspirational message from evangelist Rick Coram.
The Preaching Conference will take place Monday, Nov. 12 from 1-4 p.m. with messages from Coram, James Merritt of Cross Pointe Church in Duluth, and Jeremy Morton of Woodstock First Baptist Church. Rhon Carter, worship leader at First Baptist Statesboro, will lead music. Victory Baptist Church, Rockmart Pastor Barry Snapp is serving as the Preaching Conference president.
Monday evening's opening session of the annual meeting will include a message from Arkansas evangelist David Miller as well as a greeting from J. Robert White, current Georgia Baptist executive director, and his successor Thomas Hammond. GBC President Mike Stone and Scott Smith of Church Revitalization and Evangelism at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board will present the "This is My Story" initiative encouraging Georgia Baptists to share their testimony.
In addition, Royce Hulett of Oakland Baptist Church in Hazlehurst will present the missionary sermon. The evening will end with a reception for Thomas and Kerri Hammond in the worship center lobby.
Tuesday morning’s session will include the Doctrinal Sermon brought by Matt Peek, pastor of First Baptist Church in Pelham, followed by the Executive Committee Report delivered by White and Executive Committee Chairman Andy Childs, pastor of Ebenezer Baptist in Toccoa. Former SBC president and pastor of Cross Church in Springdale, Ark. Ronnie Floyd will deliver the keynote message at 11:20.
The afternoon session, beginning at 2 p.m., begins with congregational praise and the Mission Georgia Report by White.
Stone will follow White with the President’s Address, prior to the election of officers. After other reports, including WMU and Women’s Enrichment Ministry, a Reaching Next Gen panel will discuss steps churches can take in connecting with young people through the Gospel.
Following the benediction, a retirement celebration for White will be held in the Youth and Activities Center.
6-7:30 p.m. Sunday, November 11
Welcome/Introductions– Jim Perdue, host pastor, Second Baptist
Worship Leader – Rhon Carter, First Baptist Statesboro
Introductions – Mike Stone, president, Emmanuel Baptist, Blackshear
Missions Inspiration – J. Robert White, executive director
Inspirational Message – Rick Coram, evangelist
Benediction – Thomas Hammond, executive director-elect
6-9 p.m. Monday, November 12
6:00
Congregational Praise – Andrew Fountain, Emmanuel Baptist, Blackshear
6:10
Call to Order – Mike Stone, president, Emmanuel Baptist, Blackshear
6:12
Welcome – Jim Perdue, host pastor, Second Baptist, Warner Robins
Prayer – Tim Millwood, host association, director of missions
Enrollment and organization – Danny Henson, recording secretary, New Liberty Baptist, Ringgold
6:20
Adoption of Order of Business – Don Hattaway, Tabernacle Baptist, Cartersville
Theme Interpretation – Keith Boggs, Real MoMENtum Ministries
6:35
Congregational Worship
6:45
Special Music – Emmanuel Baptist Church Worship Team
6:50
Sermon – David Miller, evangelist, Heber Springs, Ark.
7:30
Response in Prayer
7:45
Miscellaneous Business
7:50
Words of Greeting – J. Robert White, executive director; Thomas Hammond, executive director-elect
8:00
"This Is My Story" Initiative – Mike Stone, president; Scott Smith, Church Revitalization and Evangelism, Georgia Baptist Mission Board
8:15
Congregational Worship
Scripture Reading and Prayer – Ron Shiver, Funston Baptist, Funston
8:20
Special Music and Recognition of Past Presidents – Georgia Baptist Men's Trio
8:25
Missionary Sermon – Royce Hulett, Oakland Baptist, Hazlehurst
9:00
Benediction – James Lightsey, Offerman Baptist, Offerman
Worship Center Lobby
9:00
Congregational Praise – Andrew Fountain and Emmanuel Worship Team
9:10
Opening Prayer – Dennis Rivera, Intercultural Church Planting and Missions
9:13
Memorials – Kevin Jones, Crestview Baptist, Augusta
9:18
Education Commission Report – J. Robert White
9:33
Preachers Committee Report – Jim Law, First Baptist, Woodstock
9:35
Special Music – Trio
9:40
Doctrinal Sermon – Matt Peek, First Baptist, Pelham
10:15
Executive Committee Report – J. Robert White, executive director; Andy Childs, chairman, Ebenezer Baptist, Toccoa
11:00
Miscellaneous Business
11:05
Congregational Worship
11:15
Scripture Reading and Prayer – Robert Dawson, Lake Park Baptist
11:20
Message – Ronnie Floyd, Cross Church, Springdale, Ark.
12:00
Benediction – Austin Burgess, Elim Baptist, Ludowici
2-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 13
2:00
Congregational Praise – Jubal Chorus
2:15
Mission Georgia Report – J. Robert White
2:55
Congregational Praise – Jubal Chorus
3:00
President's Address – Mike Stone, president, Emmanuel Baptist, Blackshear
3:40
Special Music – Jubal Chorus
3:50
Election of Officers
4:10
WMU and Women's Enrichment Ministry Report – Beth Ann Williams, executive director-treasurer; Lisa Thompson, president
4:30
Committee on Nominations Report – John Darsey, Redeemer Church, Madison
4:35
Committee on Resolutions Report – David Mills, Beech Haven, Athens
4:45
Reaching Next Gen Panel – Steve Parr, vice president for Staff Coordination and Development
5:00
Announcements/Order of Business Committee Report – Don Hattaway, Tabernacle Baptist, Cartersville
5:03
Installation of Newly Elected Officers
5:08
Retirement Recognitions and Celebration of J. Robert White
5:25
Special Music – Jubal Chorus
5:30
Benediction – Bobby Boswell, assistant executive director
Youth and Activities Center