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Ind. Baptists ‘focus on the task’

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COLUMBUS, Ind. (BP)–Messengers to the 52nd annual meeting of the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana launched the theme “Focus on the Task” at Parkside Baptist Church in Columbus Oct. 25-26.

Alan Scott, the convention president, delivered a plea for messengers to focus on the task of reaching Indiana with the Gospel. Monty Mullenix, pastor of Chapelwood Baptist Church in Indianapolis, delivered the annual sermon, urging messengers to remember the value of one soul led to Jesus. One soul, though, is not enough and believers must do more, he said.

Gordon Fort, vice president of global strategy of the International Mission Board, opened the first session by reminding messengers of the missions task. David Scott, a worship pastor in Kentucky and the brother of the convention president, gave devotions for two of the sessions focusing on the Acts 1:8 challenge.

Messengers elected Scott Hobbs, pastor of First Baptist Church in Griffith, president; Randall Forsythe, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Portage, first vice president; Ken Albert, a member of Easter Heights Baptist Church in Jeffersonville, second vice president; and Sarah Burk, a member of Grace Baptist Church in Evansville, recording secretary.

D. August Boto, executive vice president and general counsel of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, commended Indiana Baptists for leading all state conventions in percentage increase through the Cooperative Program during the past year. The convention increased CP giving by 9.56 percent.

Messengers approved a 2011 budget of $4,697,071, a decrease from $4.8 million, including anticipated Cooperative Program receipts of $2,944,071. Indiana Baptists will forward 37.5 percent to national and international missions and ministries, an increase of 1 percentage point over the current year. Since 2004, the convention has committed to raising the amount by 1 percentage point a year until the 50/50 goal is reached.

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Next year’s annual meeting will be Oct. 7-8 at Twin Lakes Baptist Church in Monticello.
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Based on information provided by the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana.