The axiom, “We can accomplish more together than we can in isolation,” was resoundingly affirmed by South Carolina Baptists at our annual meeting on Nov. 15 and 16. By affirming the GCR Task Force report with an overwhelming vote, Baptists took a historic step, determining to keep less at home in order to send more overseas. This initiative will propel us in reaching the massive number of precious people who have never even had the opportunity to hear the gospel. My prayer is that this historic effort will prove to further unify us in accomplishing this biblical priority goal.
AustinAmong encouraging signs at the annual meeting was the number of registered messengers in attendance, the respectful conduct of those messengers even when sharing differences of opinion, and the genuine interest shared by visitors at the exhibits related to the multiple ministries being promoted through the convention and ministry partners. The convention president, Sonny Holmes, did a terrific job presiding over the meeting and providing leadership. The order of business committee and chairman Keith Shorter did a masterful work in planning and coordinating the meeting schedule.
A few more observations from this year’s meeting:
– At a minimum, hundreds were praying for God’s will to be done at this meeting, and I believe God was honored with both the voting outcomes and the messengers’ conduct.
– South Carolina Baptists are deeply dedicated to their churches, mission endeavors, and ministry partners. These commitments are enduring and non-negotiable.
– South Carolina Baptists have found a way to immediately impact lostness as a result of actions taken. By redirecting funding, more resources will be sent directly to the International Mission Board and used to support more missionaries.
– Unity in the spirit can be achieved only through divine intervention accompanied by human obedience. As God continues dispensing His grace, we must continue to walk in obedience through the Holy Spirit’s power.
– Increased Cooperative Program giving will accelerate reaching South Carolina and our world for Christ. Each of us must seriously consider the importance of our stewardship on this issue. The decline of Cooperative Program contributions must be reversed if we hope to succeed in greater mission funding. Every church can be even more effective in missions if she will consider at least a 1 percent increase in Cooperative Program giving. This increase will immediately be used to impact lostness.
Finally, let me say how blessed I consider myself to be to serve as your executive director-treasurer. South Carolina Baptists are a Bible-believing, missions-minded, gospel-sharing, God-honoring people.
When presented with a challenge, we step up and seize the moment. I pray that we will grow even stronger in our relationships with God, each other, and in our service to Him as we grow in Experiencing Kingdom Life.
– Austin is executive director-treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.