2019 state annual meetings

LEXINGTON, Ky. (BP) -- Highlighting the work of the convention's mission board and celebrating the work of Kentucky Baptist leaders, newly hired Kentucky Baptist Convention executive director-treasurer Todd Gray encouraged messengers to keep moving forward in his first report in the lead role. Gray plowed new ground presenting the Women's Leadership Award for the first time to Garnetta Smith, who was recognized for her years of service within Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, with the KBC and on the staff of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

ROANOKE, Va., (BP) -- The Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) held its 196th annual meeting Nov. 11-13 at Bonsack Baptist Church, recognizing leaders, spending time together in worship and conducting annual business. During the Wednesday business session of the annual meeting, messengers approved the 2020 Cooperative Missions budget of $9.1 million without discussion.

GRAND MOUND, Wash. (BP) -- Messengers to the Northwest Baptist Convention's annual meeting welcomed 19 churches into the network, adopted a $5,315,000 budget for 2020, approved a $140,000 Northwest Impact mission offering goal for 2020 and elected new board members. Convened Nov. 12-13 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, Wash., messengers also elected by acclamation three pastors as new officers: Barry Campbell, Highland Baptist Church, Redmond, Ore., president; Dan Panter, McKenzie Road Baptist Church, Olympia, Wash., first vice president; Dean Kelly, Tucker Road Baptist Church, Hood River, Ore., second vice president.

WACO, Texas (BP) -- More than 2,000 participants in person and online witnessed the launch of Faith Fosters Texas at the 2019 Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) annual meeting Nov. 17-19. The new initiative, which aims to alleviate the child welfare crisis in Texas by mobilizing churches to care for vulnerable children and families, was formally launched during the Monday evening session of the 134th annual gathering held in Waco.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (BP) -- Uniting around a theme and common purpose of "Reaching the Northland," Baptists from Minnesota and Wisconsin gathered for their 36th annual meeting Oct. 25-26 at Highland Crest Baptist Church in Green Bay, Wis. The annual meeting registered 94 messengers from 66 of the convention's 204 churches. Including 52 guests, total attendance was 146.

PLYMOUTH, Mich. (BP) -- The Baptist State Convention of Michigan heard Executive Director Tim Patterson's vision for 500 churches by 2025, and toured the convention's new office facilities at the BSCM leadership conference and annual meeting. Messengers also heard guest speakers from both inside and outside the state.

ALEXANDRIA, La. (BP) -- In addition to electing officers, passing a budget and other business, Louisiana Baptists celebrated 250 new church plants since 2010 at their annual meeting Nov. 11-12. Eddie Wren, LBC president, gave a sermon challenging messengers to wait on the Lord and not lose hope in the current age.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (BP) -- Tennessee Baptist Convention messengers gathered at First Baptist Concord Nov. 17-20 for four days of inspirational worship, fellowship and to conduct business during the 145th annual meeting held during The Summit: A Gathering of Tennessee Baptists. The Summit drew 998 registered messengers from 444 churches and 117 registered guests, the highest attendance since 2016.

QUEEN CREEK, Ariz. (BP) -- During the 91st annual meeting of Arizona Southern Baptist Convention (AZSBC), messengers heard about record missions giving in 2018, adopted a 2020 budget that will send more to Southern Baptist Convention causes for the sixth straight year and were called to a year of prayer in 2020. "One Voice in Prayer ... in Witness ... in Mission" was the theme of the meeting held at Heart Cry Church in Queen Creek, Ariz., Nov. 15. It was attended by 278 messengers and 89 registered guests from 118 of Arizona Southern Baptists' 464 churches.

OCEAN CITY, Md. (BP) –- In its 184th annual meeting, the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware convened in Ocean City, Md., at the oceanfront Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel. "Maryland/Delaware & the Nations for Christ's Glory" was the theme for the Nov. 10-11 sessions, which also aimed to provide encouragement to BCM/D pastors, especially those in declining or plateauing churches.