[1]Click here [2] for a roundup of all state annual meeting reports.
SEYMOUR, Ind. (BP)–Indiana Baptists unanimously approved a motion to begin a financial campaign for a camp facility to honor their first executive director during their Oct. 23-24 annual meeting at Calvary Baptist Church in Seymour.
The facility would be built at Highland Lakes Baptist Camp in honor of E. Harmon and Betsy Moore, the convention’s first executive director and his wife. Moore served the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana for 22 years and recently was diagnosed with cancer.
Including an anticipated $2.6 million in Cooperative Program giving from Indiana churches in the coming year, messengers approved an overall 2007 budget of $4.5 million, which is an increase of 2.4 percent over the current year.
Two years ago, messengers adopted a motion to automatically increase the percentage of Cooperative Program gifts forwarded to national and international missions and ministries when they exceed their anticipated CP giving. The current year marks the 17th in a row that Indiana has seen an increase in CP giving, so for 2007 the increase to the SBC will be from 32.8 percent to 33 percent.
“Taking the Cross to the Crossroads: Lift ‘em Up” was the theme of the annual meeting, which registered 267 messengers from 107 churches.
[3]Stephen Davis, SBCI executive director, challenged messengers to fulfill the Acts 1:8 Challenge with the theme for 2007: “Let ’em Out.” Indiana churches are being challenged to start something new — a new Bible study unit, a new church, an outreach Bible study or ministry or a mission trip.
James Butch Tanner, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Greenwood, was elected convention president; William Bailey, pastor of Parkwood Baptist Church in Columbus, first vice president; Jim Bohrer, pastor of Hope Community Church in Brownsburg, elected second vice president; and Sara Burk, a member of Grace Baptist Church in Evansville, recording secretary. John Reeder, associate pastor of worship at Northside Baptist Church in Indianapolis, was re-elected music director.
Messengers adopted a resolution supporting a constitutional marriage amendment, which will be an issue for the Indiana legislature next year and could be on the ballot in 2008. They also passed resolutions on homosexuality, abortion and Christian involvement in public schools.
Indiana’s state convention, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2008, has 428 churches and missions with 95,430 members.
Next year’s annual meeting will be Oct. 29-30 at Calvary Baptist Church in Greenwood.
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