1. This year marks the 192nd annual meeting of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. “On Mission Together” is the meeting theme for the second consecutive year.
2. This year’s theme passage is Hebrews 10:23-25, which reads: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (ESV).
3. The annual meeting is in Greensboro, N.C., for the second consecutive year and 35th time overall. Greensboro has hosted more N.C. Baptist annual meetings than any other city in the state. Next year’s annual meeting is scheduled to be back in Greensboro on Nov. 6-7, 2023. Greensboro first hosted the annual meeting in 1888.
4. Guest speakers Mac Brunson, senior pastor of Valleydale Church in Birmingham, Ala., and Derrick DeLain, lead pastor of Proclamation Church in Nashville, Tenn., are both scheduled to preach at this year’s meeting. DeLain is slated to preach Monday evening, Nov. 7, and Brunson is slated to preach Tuesday evening, Nov. 8.
5. Both DeLain and Brunson have North Carolina connections. DeLain previously served as campus pastor of The Summit Church’s Blue Ridge campus in Raleigh. Brunson served as president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina in 1998 while pastoring Green Street Baptist Church in High Point.
6. SendNC is a new church planting partnership between N.C. Baptists and the North American Mission Board. Learn more during a special presentation Monday evening, Nov. 7, or by visiting the SendNC booth in the exhibit hall.
7. N.C. Baptist Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker will deliver his annual report to messengers on Monday, Nov. 7. Also during the annual meeting, Unzicker will share a report on the results of a comprehensive review of the state convention’s existing policies, procedures and practices related to sexual abuse awareness, prevention and response.
8. Micheal Pardue, pastor of First Baptist Church of Icard in Connelly Springs, N.C., is scheduled to deliver his final address to messengers as president of the state convention on Tuesday morning, Nov. 8. Pardue will end his second term as state convention president at the conclusion of the annual meeting.
9. Ministry reports from related entities of the convention, which include the Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, Baptist Hospital, the Biblical Recorder and the N.C. Baptist Foundation, are scheduled for Tuesday morning, Nov. 8. Woman’s Missionary Union of North Carolina is also scheduled to share a report in that session.
10. Messengers will elect a new slate of convention officers during a fixed order of business scheduled for 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Following are the announced candidates for the offices of president, first vice president and second vice president. President: Quintell Hill, pastor of Multiply Community Church in Monroe; and Casey Rayfield, pastor of Hickory Mountain Baptist Church in Siler City; First Vice President: Jason Miller, pastor of Dutch Cove Missionary Baptist Church in Canton; Second vice president: Allen Murray, pastor of Centerville Baptist Church in Kelly; and Stephen Robbins, associate pastor of discipleship and missions at Elkin Valley Baptist Church in Elkin. Other candidates may be announced from the floor of the convention.
11. In other business, messengers will also consider several proposed changes to the state convention’s articles and bylaws on Monday morning, Nov. 7, and they will also consider a $29.5 million Cooperative Program budget proposal for 2023 on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 8. An FAQ document on the proposed changes to the articles and bylaws is available online, and a special breakout session to answer any questions messengers may have is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., on Monday, Nov. 7 (see note No. 13 below). A copy of the 2023 budget proposal is also available online.
12. Make sure you’re prepared for all the business sessions by checking out the “Guidelines for Conducting Convention Business.”
13. A special breakout session on the proposed changes to the articles and bylaws is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7. A listening session for the 2023 budget proposal is scheduled for 7:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 8.
14. Nearly 30 breakout session offerings being led by pastors, ministry leaders, church practitioners, N.C. Baptist staff and others are scheduled for three different time slots over the course of the two-day meeting. Breakouts are scheduled for Monday, Nov. 7 at 3:30 p.m., and Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
15. Visit the interactive kiosks located throughout the convention center and exhibit halls to check out several stories of how N.C. Baptists across the state are being “on mission together” as part of a “Story Walk.”
16. Meet some of the individuals highlighted in the “Story Walk” at the “Hear Their Story” station in the Guilford exhibit hall. Additionally, share how you’re being “on mission together” at the “Share Your Story” station. Pastors can record a short video to take home to their churches and share on social media.
17. While in the exhibit hall, visit the podcast stage and learn more about the forthcoming launch of the N.C. Baptists podcast. Hosts will be recording the first episode on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
18. Be sure to donate a new or gently used coat at the designated “Coats for the City” drop off site located just outside the Guilford exhibit hall. Annual meeting is the final coat collection day for the yearly outreach event in New York City. Learn more at ncbaptist.org/coats.
19. #OnMissionTogether is the official hashtag for this year’s annual meeting. Use it with your social media posts and photos to stay connected.
20. Participate in the annual meeting scavenger hunt with the card included in your messenger bag. Complete tasks to win prizes, and complete them all for a chance to win the grand prize.
21. Download the N.C. Baptist mobile app to stay up to date on the latest information and receive late-breaking updates. The app is available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, respectively.
22. If you can’t make it to the annual meeting, be sure to watch the livestream at ncannualmeeting.org/livestream.
