Over the years, I have known numerous friends and acquaintances who regularly go “beyond the call of duty.” Some have been extraordinarily compassionate friends of households with loved ones who are sick or injured. Others have been those in vocational or bivocational ministry as well as laypersons who “minister to ministers.” I can think of other examples as well.
As one who leads a ministry organization, I value a strong work ethic in those who work at your State Board of Missions. Since 1998, when I was called as executive director, I have seen countless examples of state missionaries and other staff going beyond the call of duty. For this, I am thankful.
Many who go beyond the call of duty are “compelled” with something embedded in their personalities and hearts and souls to do just that. And yet the act of “service beyond” is a choice often borne out of love, responsibility, kindness, mercy and other such positive qualities.
As we approach the Annual Meeting of the State Convention, I am mindful of the theme for this year – the singular word “Compelled.” It is based on 2 Corinthians 5:14, in which we find this phrase: “The love of Christ compels us.”
For the past two years, one who has served beyond the call of duty is our State Convention president, Craig Carlisle, director of missions for the Etowah Baptist Association.
Craig has generously and selflessly made himself available well beyond his Etowah County homebase to Alabama Baptists through preaching, attendance at board meetings where ministry plans were being discussed, pastors and ministers conferences, and many other contexts. I am so grateful for his Kingdom leadership in our state.
This year, the Annual Meeting will be at Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville on November 11-12. Whitesburg is also hosting the meeting of the Alabama Baptist Pastors Conference on November 10.
I am grateful for Whitesburg, extraordinarily so this year, because they are in the process of making upgrades to their facilities and yet – under the leadership of their senior pastor, Darryl Craft – are once again opening their doors to our Alabama Baptist family.
Please come to this annual family reunion of Alabama Baptists. We hope many churches will send elected messengers, but the doors are open to guests as well.
Notably, we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Cooperative Program. I am thankful for our Baptist forbears who created this remarkable way that any local church – large or small – may have a part in going into all the world, all the time, at the same time. After all, Acts 1:8 is a simultaneous – not sequential – command of our Lord.
There will be many times of worship throughout the Tuesday and Wednesday sessions. A special time will happen on Tuesday evening when the Whitesburg Worship Ministry will lead us to the throne through music and Jeff Iorg will preach a message titled “Compelled to Live as Ambassadors for Christ.” Andy John King will preach the Convention sermon, and Craig Carlisle will provide the President’s Address.
In other worship times on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Alabama Singing Men and Women and also the First Baptist Gadsden Choir will glorify our Lord through music.
We will hear reports from our family of Alabama Baptist entities and Convention committees. In addition, messengers will be asked to approve a Great Commission Ministries budget.
So join us, if you can, in the Rocket City. We hope to see you there!
