CARY, N.C. – From celebrating international missionaries to serving in the local community, N.C. Baptists will once again gather around the theme of being “On Mission Together” at this fall’s annual meeting.

“On Mission Together” was also the meeting’s theme in 2021 and 2022, and state convention officials said the decision to keep the theme the same for the third year in a row in 2023 is a reflection of how God is moving in the state.

“The theme this year is what we have used the last two years,” said Bob Lowman, executive director of the Metrolina Baptist Association in Charlotte and chairman of the state convention’s Committee on Convention Meetings. “While this may seem unusual to some, it captures the momentum we are experiencing as N.C. Baptists. We are to be all about the Great Commission, so the theme once again helps us keep the main thing the main thing. We are excited about how our Lord is mobilizing us for His glory.”

The meeting is scheduled for Nov. 6-7 at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. The supporting Scripture passage for the event is Revelation 7:9-12.

Since being elected as N.C. Baptists’ executive director-treasurer in 2021, Todd Unzicker has cast a vision of being “a movement of churches on mission together,” which is underscored by the meeting’s theme.

“‘On Mission Together’ is more than a yearly theme and more than a slogan,” Unzicker said. “It’s really the DNA of who we are as N.C. Baptists.”

A highlight of this year’s meeting will be a special missions celebration for international missionaries with ties to North Carolina on the evening of Monday, Nov. 6, during which Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board, will deliver the annual convention sermon.

During the meeting, state convention leaders will also share details about ServeNC, a statewide emphasis that encourages every N.C. Baptist church to commit to serve its respective community during the first week of August 2024. More information is available at servenc.com.

The meeting will also include worship, exhibits, ministry reports, officer elections, business sessions and more. 

Quintell Hill, lead pastor of Multiply Community Church in Monroe, will deliver the annual president’s address, and Unzicker will also share the annual executive director-treasurer’s report during the meeting.

A number of breakout sessions that address practical aspects of ministry will also be offered to attendees.

Registration for messengers and guests will open Sept. 15 and can be completed online at ncannualmeeting.org. The site will be updated with additional details, resources and special events related to the meeting as they become available.

Attendees may also make reservations at the host hotel through the annual meeting website at a special discounted rate of $99 per night plus tax through Oct. 3. State convention officials encourage messengers and guests to make their reservations early to take advantage of the special rate, which is only available through Oct. 3 and cannot be extended. 

This annual meeting will once again be preceded by the N.C. Baptist Pastors’ Conference from Nov. 5-6, also at the Koury Convention Center. The pastors’ conference theme is “Shepherd the Flock” based on 1 Peter 5:2. 
The pastors’ conference is free to attend, but registration is requested. Registration is available through the event website at ncpastorsconference.org, where additional information about the conference is also available.