Intro To The Summit

By Interim Executive Director, Danny Dunivan

The annual Mission and Ministry Summit is an exciting time for General Baptists from across the country and around the world to gather for inspiration, encouragement, missional focus, and practical ministry training. Last year’s Summit was cancelled due to the pandemic, but we are excited to see it return in 2021. I was to be the moderator last summer, so I am excited to serve in that role this year! In 2018 when I agreed to serve as moderator, I had no thought that I would also be serving in the role of Interim Executive Director during the meeting. However, God has plans that we sometimes cannot see.

On July 26-28, 2021, we will come together in Owensboro, Kentucky, for what will be a memorable few days. The theme of the Summit is “Called.” The last edition of the Messenger previewed the theme, and in this edition, I highlight it again. God calls us to join him on his mission to rescue the world, and he has uniquely placed us to fulfill those callings. I want you to be challenged to respond to the calling God has before you!

The keynote speakers for the Summit represent a varied cross-section of leaders. Each one will bring a unique set of insights to challenge us to respond to God’s call for us for the next generation. Karl Vaters (Lead Pastor of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Orange County, California) is a champion of small church ministry and its impact. He will be sharing a breakout session and be the keynote for one of our main sessions. The other keynote speakers are General Baptists with a passion for ministry in their communities: Brandon Petty (Lead Pastor of Generation Church in Portland, TN), Josh Carpenter (Lead Pastor of Grace United General Baptist Church in Paragould, AR), Chris Vaught (Lead Pastor of Connection Point Church in Jackson, MO), and Charles Richardson (Lead Pastor of Hitts Chapel General Baptist Church in Piggott, AR). I will also be speaking on the last evening.

The Restructure Task Force proposals will be discussed and voted on during the business session on Tuesday. They represent significant organizational transitions that will position us for ministry into the next generation.

Besides the keynote sermons, main sessions will include worship, ministry updates, opportunities to partner in continued missions, and commissioning new national and international missionaries. The sessions will be hosted by different General Baptist leaders and highlight our common mission as an organization!

In this copy of the Messenger, you will also find a listing of the breakout sessions offered during the Summit. The sessions range from opportunities to connect with missionaries to pastoral health to panel conversations on callings to different kinds of ministry, just to name a few. We hope that these sessions provide opportunities to learn, reflect on ministry, and be encouraged to fulfill your calling in your setting. There is also information in this Messenger about programming for kids and youth at the Summit!

Also, in the pages of this Messenger, you will find an article by Vince Daniel (Director of National Missions) on our focus to plant churches in rural, suburban, and urban contexts, in other words, wherever God calls us. International Missions highlights the new opportunities for ministry by the Yeomans in West Africa and the upcoming Ed Stevens Offering that will support the significant work of General Baptists in India. Vicki Smith (Director of Women’s Ministries) writes about ministry calling and the vision for Women’s Ministries that will be shared at the breakouts for the Summit.

Important business will also be conducted at this year’s Summit. The Restructure Task Force proposals will be discussed and voted on during the business session on Tuesday. They represent significant organizational transitions that will position us for ministry into the next generation. At the business session, the General Association will also vote on whether to retain me as the permanent President of General Baptist Ministries. Memberships on important committees, boards, commissions will be voted on, and other routine business will be conducted.

I hope you will plan to be with us for this year’s Mission and Ministry Summit in Owensboro, Kentucky. For more information on registration and hotel arrangements, go to https://gbsummit.org

Grace and peace,

Danny Dunivan, Interim Executive Director