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On Nov. 9-10, messengers and guests will gather at Hyde Park Baptist Church in Austin as the SBTC convenes its 2020 annual meeting. This year’s theme, “Together For the Unfinished Task,” reflects the convention’s ongoing goal to see the gospel spread to all people, both at home and abroad, and echoes a continuation of last year’s “Who’s Your One?” theme with an encouragement toward fulfilling the Great Commission.
“This year in Austin our convention theme is ‘Together for the Unfinished Task,’” said Kie Bowman, convention president and host pastor. “We will focus as much attention as possible on the Great Commission of Jesus while remembering all of the protocols to keep every messenger safe. It will be different, but join me for a convention we will not forget!”
The Scripture attached to the theme this year is the Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:19-20 where Jesus commands his followers to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Similar to years past, multiple sermons are scheduled throughout the convention, each focusing on the theme. Bowman will bring the president’s message Monday night, and Danny Forshee, pastor of Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin and SBTC executive board chairman, will preach the convention sermon Tuesday morning.
SBC Executive Committee president Ronnie Floyd will be joining the convention on Tuesday night to bring the closing sermon.
“Prior to his role with the Executive Committee, Dr. Floyd was one of the most evangelistic pastors in the SBC and has served as president of the National Day of Prayer,” Bowman said. “For years he has led by example and in numerous leadership roles calling on the SBC family to prayer and revival. I’m thrilled he has agreed to come to our convention in November.”
Mickey Henderson, who leads worship at Hyde Park Baptist Church, will serve as worship leader of the 2020 convention along with the church’s choir, band and praise team. Julio Arriola, who serves as executive director of Hispanic relations and mobilization at the SBC Executive Committee, will join as a special guest.
Time has also been carved out in the convention schedule this year to highlight and provide time to pray for revival and spiritual awakening.
As is usual, messengers will hear updates from the convention’s cooperative ministries, which includes Criswell College, Jacksonville College and the Texas Baptist Home for Children.
Bowman, who was elected president at last year’s convention, will be nominated for reelection by Todd Kaunitz, pastor of New Beginnings Baptist Church in Longview, and currently is running opposed.
Although there has been much uncertainty throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, convention leaders say they are emphasizing preventive measures and doing everything in their power to minimize risk for messengers and guests who plan to join as the convention gathers in Austin next month.
“We’re taking strenuous steps to conduct our meeting with due prudence,” said Gary Ledbetter, SBTC director of communications. “Our staff will be wearing masks and we encourage all our folks to do that. We have also reduced the number of displays and meals. The meals we do provide will be boxed to minimize the risk to those eating. Of course, we are also streaming our meeting for those who want to observe but shouldn’t attend.”
Pre-registration for messengers is currently open and is encouraged for anyone who plans to attend as a messenger. Otherwise, messengers will be required to stand in line at the Credentials desk before checking in to receive ballots and materials.
Resolutions for the Annual Meeting
Resolutions give convention messengers an opportunity to express a consensus statement on timely public issues, or to speak prophetically regarding issues of specific interest to Southern Baptist churches. Any member of and SBTC church may submit a resolution to the resolutions committee. The committee will consider submitted resolutions and produce a report to convention messengers for their consideration.
The deadline for submitting a resolution for the 2019 annual meeting is Monday, Oct 26. All submissions must include the name, church membership, phone number and email address of the submitter. Mailed submissions must be typewritten for the sake of legibility. Email resolutions to Gayla Sullivan at gsullivan@sbtexas.com or mail to SBTC, Gayla Sullivan, PO Box 1988, Grapevine, TX 76099.
Although childcare has been offered in years past, due to the pandemic it will not be available this year.
For more information about the annual meeting or to find out how to join the livestream, visit sbtexas.com/am20.
