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.
SCOTTY GOLDMAN, director of Global Missions: I look forward to connecting with friends from all over Alabama during our annual convention. Many of these folk I only see once a year but look forward to hearing what God is doing in their lives and ministries.
BRIAN HARPER, lead church planting strategist: Every fall, it is a privilege to gather with all other Southern Baptist churches and entities in Alabama to celebrate what God is doing, collaborate for Kingdom work and do the work of the Convention for our Lord. I particularly love this time that many church planters and partners have to build each other up and recognize that we need each other. We are better together!
ROB JACKSON, director of Evangelism & Church Revitalization: I am looking forward to our Annual Meeting because I am compelled by love for Christ, by devotion to His Church and by the unity we share as one Baptist family. This gathering reminds me that we are not alone in the mission; we serve together, pray together and celebrate what God is doing across our state and beyond. Our Convention is a family reunion where we are encouraged, refreshed and inspired. I thank the Lord that I can be part of what He is doing through our cooperative efforts — joining hearts and hands with others who are compelled to carry the Gospel to every corner of Alabama and the world. I will see you at Whitesburg!
KRISTY KENNEDY, community ministries associate: I am looking forward to the Annual Meeting because it is like a big Baptist family reunion – a little piece of heaven on earth – where I get to spend time with my Baptist brothers and sisters. It is a time of encouragement and inspiration to hear what God is doing all over our state. It is important for us to come together as the body of Christ to celebrate what our Lord is doing and how He wants to continue to use us in advancing His Kingdom. It is a wonderful reminder that we are not in this alone and we truly can do more together than apart.
CHRIS MILLS, student missions strategist: I am excited about our Annual Meeting not just because of the old friends I’ll see, conversations I’ll have or reports I’ll hear – but instead because the Annual Meeting gives us an opportunity to remember who we are and why we do what we do. Our time together in Huntsville is about celebrating what the Lord is doing and will do through Alabama Baptists as we live lives compelled by the love of Christ to make His name known here in our state and across the globe. What a tremendous reason to come together!
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.
