PATTY BURNS, preschool specialist: Why am I looking forward to the Annual Meeting? Because it is more than just a gathering of Alabama Baptist leaders and laypersons from across our state; it is a couple of days filled with beautiful worship through music and inspiring messages. It is an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and to build new relationships. Every year I leave feeling refreshed and my passion for partnering with our Alabama churches reignited! This year the theme is Compelled, and I am certain that I will be challenged to lead with boldness and to leave ready to serve.
BEN EDFELDT, director of Collegiate & Student Ministries: Our annual meeting is one of those rare moments where we get to, as Alabama Baptists, collectively look at what God is doing in our 3,000-plus churches. I look forward to celebrating with my statewide church community all the ways God has moved across our collegiate and student ministries. We’re seeing students commit to following Christ, and this is reverberating across our state and world. Our annual meeting provides an opportunity to look back and celebrate while looking forward to ways we can engage our universities, cities, state and the nations.
DANIEL EDMONDS, director of Sunday School & Discipleship Ministries: I am looking forward to the Annual Meeting because it is the annual reunion of our Alabama Baptist family. Unlike many family reunions, we come together for more than food and fellowship. We come to celebrate, to congratulate and to anticipate God’s blessings for the coming year. The times of worship are inspirational and challenging, the reports are engaging and encouraging; plus connecting with friends to hear how God is moving brings joy to the heart.
KAREN GOSSELIN, Worship Resources coordinator: I’m really looking forward to the Annual Meeting because it’s always energizing to connect with like-minded people passionate about ministry and the mission God has given us. There’s something special about sharing stories, ideas and goals with friends old and new — all while worshiping together, even in the middle of business sessions. It’s both inspiring and fun to see what’s happening behind the scenes in our convention and to get fired up about how God is at work among us. I leave every year encouraged, renewed and excited for what’s next!
JOSH MEADOWS, student ministry strategist: The Annual Meeting is a time of fellowship — laughing, learning and worshiping alongside ministry partners who share the same Great Commission calling. I love being able to reconnect with ministry leaders and celebrate what God is doing across Alabama. The meeting recharges my heart, fills me with encouragement and reminds me that we are not alone in this great calling. The conversations, celebrations and business conducted at the Annual Meeting help fuel my passion for serving student leaders across our state.
For more information on this year’s Annual Meeting, check out www.alsbom.org/convention.
