“On Mission Together” will be the theme for the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina’s (BSCNC) annual meeting for the second year in a row.
N.C. Baptist leaders said it’s a theme worth repeating after taking the uncommon but not unprecedented step of selecting a same or similar theme for the annual gathering of N.C. Baptists in consecutive years. This year’s meeting is scheduled for Nov. 7-8 at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, N.C.
“On Mission Together” was also the theme in 2021.
“We really felt led to keep the same theme this year to capitalize on the momentum that was started last year,” said David Richardson, chairman of the BSC’s Committee on Convention Meetings, which plans each year’s annual meeting and selects the theme. “Being ‘On Mission Together’ describes who we are and what we are doing. The theme isn’t just for the two days that we gather for the meeting, but it’s a reminder to stay focused on the gospel, the mission and reaching others for Jesus Christ.”
Richardson, who also serves as pastor of Peace’s Chapel Baptist Church in Kittrell, N.C., noted that N.C. Baptists have used similar or related themes in consecutive years a few times since the early 2000s.
The committee also selected Hebrews 10:23-25 as this year’s theme passage, 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).
The theme and supporting scripture passage underscores state convention leader Todd Unzicker’s vision for N.C. Baptist churches to be what he’s described as a “movement of churches on mission together” since being elected executive director-treasurer in May 2021.
“The Lord has given us a real momentum going forward that is reflected in our ‘on mission together’ spirit,” Unzicker said. “This is more than just a theme or a slogan. It really is who we are as a group of independent, autonomous churches that come together for the mission.”
Meeting highlights
The annual meeting will include worship, preaching, breakout sessions, ministry reports, business sessions, exhibits and more.
Unzicker is scheduled to deliver his executive director-treasurer’s address during the opening session on Nov. 7. State convention president Micheal Pardue, pastor of First Baptist Church Icard in Connelly Springs, N.C., is slated to share his presidential address during the opening session on Nov. 8.
Special messages from Derrick DeLain, lead pastor of Proclamation Church in Nashville, Tenn., and Mac Brunson, senior pastor of Valleydale Church in Birmingham, Ala., are scheduled for the afternoon and evening sessions, respectively, on Nov. 8.
During business sessions, messengers from N.C. Baptist churches will elect a new slate of state convention officers, consider the 2023 Cooperative Program budget proposal and consider a number of proposed amendments to the state convention’s articles and bylaws.
Registration info
Messenger registration is scheduled to open Sept. 1 and will be conducted online at ncannualmeeting.org. Attendees may also make hotel reservations at the convention center hotel at a special discounted rate through the site.
The annual meeting website will be updated with a complete schedule, breakout session descriptions, information about ancillary meetings and more as the event draws closer.
The annual meeting will be preceded by the annual N.C. Baptist Pastors’ Conference on Nov. 6-7 at the Koury Center. Additional details and information are available at ncpastorsconference.org.
