2017 SBC Annual Meeting

GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins recaps successes by the Southern Baptist entity in court and in the financial marketplace.

PHOENIX (BP) – Professors, pastors and a state convention leader comprise a new task force to suggest how Southern Baptists might reap a greater harvest through personal evangelism and evangelistic preaching. Southern Baptist Convention President Steve Gaines announced the team Wednesday (June 14) during his closing remarks at the 2017 annual meeting in Phoenix. Messengers authorized June 13 the appointment of the task force at Gaines' request.

PHOENIX (BP) -- Appointment of a task force to study how Southern Baptists can be more effective in evangelism and a resolution decrying "alt-right white supremacy" were among highlights of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting June 13-14 in Phoenix. In addition, messengers honored 15-term registration secretary Jim Wells with a resolution of appreciation after hearing a report he is in the advanced stages of cancer. Attendees of the SBC Pastors' Conference preceding the annual meeting elected Florida pastor H.B. Charles as the conference's first black president.

The newly released Christian Standard Bible gives Southern Baptists an unparalleled opportunity to uphold the fidelity of God's Word, reported Thom S. Rainer, president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, to messengers June 14 (Wednesday) at the 2017 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Phoenix.

Pledging "NAMB will do its part," North American Mission Board President Kevin Ezell said the SBC needs a "Gospel Conversation Resurgence" if declining baptism numbers are to turn around. More church plants, he also noted to messengers at the SBC annual meeting in Phoenix, will yield more conversations about Jesus.

The International Mission Board is in a stable financial position, "setting the stage" to send more missionaries to share the Gospel, IMB President David Platt reports to the Southern Baptist Convention in Phoenix. He also relayed firsthand reports from missionaries around the world.

Drawing from 2 Timothy 4, pastor Roger Spradlin urged attendees to the 2017 Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting in Phoenix to preach the unchanging Word of God amidst the "Titanic" changes in today's post-Christian America.

Presidents of the Southern Baptist Convention's six seminaries noted growth in ministry, enrollment and financial support in their reports to messengers June 14 at the SBC annual meeting in Phoenix.

WMU leaders highlight 20 years of ministry through Christian Women's Job Corps during report to SBC.

Messengers rejoiced with a "Sending Celebration" of 31 new missionaries during the SBC annual meeting June 14 in Phoenix. The newly appointed IMB personnel, sent by Southern Baptist churches, will take the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world.