2013: State Annual Meeting Roundup

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (BP) -- The Baptist General Association of Virginia adopted a far-reaching governance proposal Nov. 13 which leaders said would position the network of 1,400 churches to more effectively meet the challenges of the 21st century while maintaining broad representation from its diverse constituency.

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. (BP) -- A sea of yellow shirts greeted those attending the opening session of the 107th annual meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma at First Baptist Church in Broken Arrow as the 40th anniversary of Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief was celebrated.       The celebration was marked with hundreds of disaster relief volunteers dressed in their trademark yellow shirts, vests and jackets on hand, with a portion of the BGCO's DR fleet of trucks and vehicles on display in the parking lot for the community to tour and see.

TUCSON, Ariz. (BP) -- Arizona Southern Baptists have adopted new mission and vision statements to guide their work for the next 15 years.

ROGERS, Ark. (BP) -- Messengers to the 160th annual meeting of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention approved a Cooperative Program budget of $22 million and, among four resolutions, encouraged voters to reject all attempts to legalize medical marijuana in the state in next year's general election.

PERRYSBURG, Ohio (BP) -- With a focus on prayer and a goal to reach 1 million of 11.5 million residents in their state with the Gospel, 254 Ohio Baptist messengers plus guests gathered for their 60th annual meeting.

YAKIMA, WA (BP) -- Northwest Baptist Convention messengers welcomed 19 churches into affiliation, approved a $5,177,000 budget for 2014 -- which increases resources for church planting, evangelism and communications -- and elected Dale Jenkins, pastor of Airway Heights (Wash.) Baptist Church as president.

DES MOINES, Iowa (BP) -- The Annual Meeting of the Baptist Convention of Iowa was held amidst a renewed spirit of cooperation, purpose and a desire to multiply disciples and churches.

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. (BP) -- New England Baptists, at their 2013 annual meeting, adopted a $2,489,905 budget for 2014, a 2 percent increase over this year's revised budget.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (BP) -- The 107th Annual Meeting of the Illinois Baptist State Association drew messengers together under one theme with three pieces: Churches, Together, Advancing the Gospel.

ALEXANDRIA, La. (BP) -- The Louisiana Baptist Convention must change its "audience, avenues and actions ... to engage the lostness in this state," LBC President Waylon Bailey noted during the convention's 166th annual meeting Nov. 11-12 in Alexandria.