The year 2016 has been an eventful one for residents of the U.S. and Alabama with unprecedented cultural and political developments.
With increasing frequency, change seems the only constant. Even the near future has become difficult to predict as moral upheaval and cultural shifts continue on a variety of fronts.
Even with these unsettling challenges, Christians are called to abiding faithfulness and obedience to our Lord whose command to carry out the Great Commission remains unchanged.
In a couple of weeks, Alabama Baptists will be reminded of this mandate at our annual family reunion at the State Convention meeting, which will have a theme of “Sent … Here, There and Everywhere.”
This theme is a missiological reminder that we are called to go into all the world, all the time, at the same time. Acts 1:8 (HCSB) reminds us that we are to be Christ’s “witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Toward that end, Alabama Baptists will hear inspirational and celebratory reports about the Great Commission ministries that they support strongly through prayer, giving and going.
Through the Cooperative Program, supported by the Great Commission Ministries Budget that messengers will be asked to adopt, Alabama Baptists have an opportunity to renew and strengthen our commitment to reaching our state and the world for Christ.
We will hear reports and recommendations on a variety of Kingdom concerns and initiatives, such as the Myers-Mallory State Missions Offering. Next year’s offering, like the one in this inaugural year, will provide strong support for five strategic ministries: Alabama Woman’s Missionary Union, Disaster Relief, Church Planting, Church Revitalization and Global Partnership Missions.
This year, it has been so encouraging to hear reports from across the state of Alabama Baptists enthusiastically and thoughtfully supporting their first ever state missions offering.
Also during the State Convention meeting, there will be many other times of inspiration and refreshing,
including corporate worship through music and preaching, highlighting of the ministries of Alabama Baptist entities, adoption of resolutions about matters of critical concern, and election of Convention officers and members of boards, commissions and committees.
Pray for those who are working in final preparations for the annual meeting and for those who will provide leadership during the Convention.
We hope to see you there.
For more information about the annual meeting of the Alabama Baptist State Convention, please call 1-800-264-1225, ext. 231, or go online to alsbom.org/convention.
