I would like to thank each South Carolina Baptist for allowing me the privilege of serving this year as your convention president. This year has been very enjoyable and exciting as I visited in each association in our state in some capacity and saw firsthand how God is working. I was blessed to visit many of our smaller churches and our institutions and now have a greater appreciation of what we attempt to do for the glory of God in our state.
A special thanks goes to Dr. Driggers and the staff of our state convention for all of their help this year. Their enthusiasm for the work of Christ in our state is truly contagious.
Let me take this opportunity to remind you of our state convention in Columbia on Nov. 14-16 and to stress that this is your convention, and that these meetings are not only for our pastors but for every South Carolina Baptist as well.
We have worked hard this year to provide new experiences for you during our convention. There will be many opportunities for you to learn new methods, look at new materials and mingle with fellow Baptists. We will have an expanded exhibit area that will benefit the smallest church to the largest church.
Tom Tucker has put together a fantastic program for our Pastor’s Conference, which will be on Monday at Trinity Baptist Church. You will truly be blessed by the great preaching and the inspirational music.
During our convention, you will be inspired by messages from Jim Goodroe and Jay Strack. On Tuesday evening, we are planning a great time of celebration and worship. You don’t want to miss a single session!
Our theme this year is “All for One”: one purpose, one mission, one kingdom. I know this means a lot of different things to different people, but let me remind you that we are all “one” in the body of Christ. From the mega church in our large cities to the small rural church that so few know about, to the new church plant that wonders if anyone even knows it exists, God is at work. Each part of the body of Christ is important. I really believe that there are no “big” or “little” people in the work of God. Everyone is important. Whatever you do for the kingdom of Christ is important.
One purpose – My purpose, as I understand it, is to glorify Jesus Christ. This should be done first of all by preaching His word. Then there are many areas of ministry that would be involved in bringing glory to Jesus.
One mission – I see this as His mission. That mission is to reach a world with the gospel of Christ and give them an opportunity to receive Jesus Christ as Savior. Then we need to help them to grow to be productive Christians. Until this is accomplished, our job isn’t finished. This is “making disciples.”
One kingdom – It can only be His kingdom. I fear we have too many personal kingdoms being built. We must reach a point where we die to self (I believe this is the “cross” life), in order to see His kingdom grow here on this earth. We should rejoice when God blesses anyone who is reaching people for the cause of Christ.
I will be looking forward to seeing each of you at our South Carolina Baptist Convention meetings this November. I pray we will leave with a new excitement and enthusiasm to do God’s work. May God richly bless each of you. Please pray for me that as I lead our convention, God will be honored and glorified.