BRYAN BLASS, director of LeaderCare: I am looking forward to this year’s Annual Meeting to be held at Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville. I look forward to the reuniting and rekindling of relationships that I have with people all across our state. I am encouraged to learn how God is at work in their individual lives and in the ministries to which they have been called. I also look forward to times of corporate worship with my Alabama Baptist family as we together lift our voices to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I am always blessed to hear messages and theme interpretations from God’s Word. I am challenged as I see how people have stepped out in faith to take the name of Jesus across the street, around the state and to the ends of the earth.
JAY STEWART, director of Cooperative Program & Church Financial Resources: As our Alabama Baptist family gathers in Huntsville, I am looking forward to seeing many friends and catching up on all of God’s work through our partner churches and associations. I always look forward to the state convention, and possibly more so this year because of our yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Cooperative Program. It has been an encouraging year, both in looking back at the ways God has blessed and looking forward to writing new chapters of God’s faithfulness! See you in Huntsville!
BELINDA STROUD, children’s specialist: As a “PK” (preacher’s kid), I grew up attending many Annual Meetings in Alabama as well as SBC meetings in June. It was a time for my dad to reconnect with seminary friends and other ministers from across the state, hear inspirational messages and learn how the Lord was working throughout Alabama. Now attending as a state missionary, I always recall those sweet memories while experiencing the same thing my father did many years ago – a time to both enjoy reconnecting with other Alabama Baptist friends and partners in ministry, to reflect on what God has done among us and to look forward to what He will do in the future.
MARK WAKEFIELD, disaster relief strategist: I am looking forward to the Annual Meeting of the Alabama Baptist State Convention! The first time I was able to attend as a young adult serving as associate pastor of a church, I found two things very attractive. First, it was a time of renewing acquaintances. The Body of Christ is about connections. The connections we get to enjoy with fellow Alabama Baptists bring encouragement and warmth. Some who attend feel as if they are serving all alone in the middle of nowhere. At the Annual Meeting, they get to reconnect. That is valuable. Second, we get to celebrate. So many amazing ministries are possible because we choose to cooperate. We dare not let the business overshadow the celebrations that are possible because God is at work through Alabama Baptists. Many things have changed since my first Convention meeting. One thing that has not is my excitement about being there. Come, connect and celebrate.
For more information on this year’s Annual Meeting, check out www.alsbom.org/convention.
