Over 2,000 focus on Jesus’ agenda, hear clarified calling at Texas Baptists Annual Meeting in Waco

2,030 messengers and visitors gathered in Waco Nov. 10-12 to take part in the 139th Annual Meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT). The theme, drawn from Luke 4:18-19, focused on “His Kingdom Agenda.” 

Rallies kick off three-day fellowship

The Annual Meeting started on Sunday, Nov. 10, with worship rallies of the African American Fellowship of Texas, Texas Baptists en Español and Millennial/Gen Z Ministers Network (The Pastor’s Common). 

Each rally emphasized the power of the gospel and aligned with the theme verse, Luke 4:18-19, encouraging attendees to proclaim good news.

Intercultural Ministries hosted its annual banquet the following day. Mark Heavener, director of Intercultural Ministries, noted that “God’s kingdom agenda is visible” in the churches represented at the gathering.

Messages focus on the presence of the kingdom, clarified calling

Speakers in worship sessions and worship and business sessions brought messages centered around the presence of God’s kingdom.

During the Sunday worship session, Albert Reyes, president and CEO of Buckner International, told attendees that the kingdom we are offering the world is “a kingdom of wholeness” that “offers peace, healing and justice.” 

Al Curley, III, concluded the session with a message on “the clarity of the gospel’s agenda,” highlighting the five things that are clear about the gospel: the source, the system, the strategy, the subject and the significance.

During the Monday morning worship session, Meghan Hendrickson, director of the Dallas Baptist University Baptist Student Ministry (DBU BSM), spoke about the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23) and challenged attendees that without spending regular time with the Lord, we are unable to effectively disciple others. 

Monday evening, Julio Guarneri, executive director of Texas Baptists, gave his report during the third worship session. He introduced a clarified missional theme, values and GC2 Pathways that will empower churches “to live out the Great Commandment and Great Commission in Texas and beyond.”

“These are the values that will inform our work. They describe our unique identity as Texas Baptists,” said Guarneri. “We want to be known by what we value.”

Concluding the Monday evening worship session, Joel Gregory, George W. Truett Endowed chair of Preaching and Evangelism at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary, shared a message from Mark 1. He encouraged attendees with four things that are true about the kingdom of God: it is a gift, it is invisible, it is inherently powerful and it is here, but is coming back in its entirety when Jesus returns.

Tuesday morning, Ronny Marriott, Convention president and pastor of First Baptist Church Richardson, delivered his address during the final worship and business session of the Annual Meeting. He spoke 

He spoke from two scriptures, John 17:21 and Jeremiah 29:7, encouraging attendees that Texas Baptists’ emphasis on the Great Commandment and the Great Commission requires great unity, and the radical love of Jesus Christ is required to impact God’s kingdom. 

Worship was led by Art Wellborn, worship pastor at First Woodway Baptist Church, along with First Baptist Church of Waco and Waco Area Combined Choirs; Lampsato Worship Band from East Texas Baptist University; DBU Chapel Worship; and 317 Collective from First Baptist Burleson.

Officers elected, captive insurance program and other business considered

Messengers elected new officers to serve for the 2024-2025 term during the Monday morning and Tuesday morning business sessions. 

Marriott was re-elected to a second one-year term as president. Debbie Potter, children’s pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio, was elected first vice president. Joseph Adams, pastor of First Baptist Church in Hughes Springs, was elected second vice president.

Marriott and Potter ran unopposed, and Adams was elected over Adam Pardue, pastor of Highland Baptist Church in Lubbock, by a vote of 446 to 290.

Bobby Contreras, chair of the Executive Board, gave an update on three major actions taken by the Board since the Texas Baptists Family Gathering in July 2023 and other recommendations from the Convention’s Sexual Abuse Task Force, Valley Baptist Mission of Education Center (VBMEC) and the Residency Task Force.

Ward Hayes, treasurer and CFO for Texas Baptists, provided a financial report celebrating the “blessings that [God] has bestowed upon us.”

The proposed 2025 budget of $36.7 million was adopted, as was the percentage allotment of the adopted budget at 79% BGCT and 21% Worldwide, with each church selecting the recipients of the Worldwide.

Messengers also adopted a recommendation related to the formation of a Texas Baptists Insurance Program.

Read the full recap of the Monday business session here.

In the Tuesday morning business session, messengers considered two motions and one resolution and filled the remaining Convention officer positions. 

The first motion to “authorize the Executive Board to review and act on behalf of the Convention regarding the change of the Baptist University of the Américas’ status from a single-member corporation to a nonmember corporation as registered with the Secretary of State through its certificate of Formation,” was passed.

The second motion, “that the Baptist General Convention of Texas affirm the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message,” was defeated after extended discussion.

Messengers passed a resolution that stated in part, “the work of the Great Commission and Great Commandments is too big for any one local church and [we] are grateful to God for the past 100 years of partnership mission through the Cooperative Program.” 

Bill Arnold, former president of Texas Baptist Mission Foundation, was elected secretary of the corporation, and Michael Evans, Sr., pastor of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mansfield, was elected registration secretary.

In other business, messengers approved a recommendation from the Committee on Annual Meeting to hold the 2027 Texas Baptists Annual Meeting in Tyler. The 2026 Texas Baptists Annual Meeting will be held in Waco, and the 2025 Annual Meeting is set for Abilene.

Read the full recap of the Tuesday business session here.

Workshops and panel discussion

Participants had the opportunity to attend 35 workshops over five sessions Monday and Tuesday, and a special panel discussion entitled “Biblical Perspectives on Women in Ministry.”

The Missions as Discipleship workshop led by Mikey Osborne, Discipleship & Outreach coordinator at Texans On Mission (TXM), challenged attendees to put their faith into action, teach those they disciple how to evangelize and show Christ’s love through service. 

Jonathan Smith, director of Church Health and Growth for Texas Baptists, led a workshop that showcased a preview of PAVE, a ministry designed to help pastors revise their churches with renewed mission and vision to reach their communities. Attendees heard from a panel of pastors and coaches that have been through the PAVE process on their experiences. 

The special panel on women in ministry, designed to be a respectful conversation about the role of women in ministry featuring Baptist leaders with varying viewpoints, drew just under 700 attendees following the final worship and business session on Tuesday.

Guarneri, who moderated the discussion, concluded by expressing his optimism in continued collaboration despite sometimes differing views.

“I’m glad we had this conversation. I think it shows that in our diversity, we can still join together and collaborate for the mission of God,” he said. “When we keep the tent big within orthodox Christianity and within biblical authority, we are better together.”

Meals and receptions

Messengers and guests also participated in several meals and receptions, including the Texas Baptist Hunger Offering (TBHO) annual luncheon, Texas Baptists Missions Foundation (TBMF) luncheon and the Minister Spouse Fellowship.

The annual Hunger Offering luncheon celebrated a year of fruitful giving and highlighted some ministries supported by TBHO. Hayes gave the keynote address at the luncheon. He told attendees that “the God who made over 200 billion trillion stars knows everyone that hungers, knows everyone in crisis, knows everyone in severe need… Our God is an amazing God.” 

Using the theme “What is God building?” the TBMF celebrated the work of Baptist Student Ministries (BSM) around the state at its annual luncheon held Monday at Truett Seminary. Jerry Carlisle, TBMF president, told attendees God is “building a kingdom with Christ Jesus as the chief cornerstone.” Four BSM directors provided campus missions updates, and current building campaigns were discussed.

The Minister Spouse Fellowship, hosted by Monica Guarneri, wife of Texas Baptists Executive Director Julio Guarneri, and Tracy Christina, wife of Associate Executive Director Craig Christina, was a chance for the spouses of pastors and ministers to meet, bond over shared experiences and learn together.

Robin Marriott, wife of Texas Baptists President Ronny Marriott and first lady of the BGCT, and Brad Livingstone, husband of Baylor University President Linda Livingstone and first gentleman of the campus, provided encouragement to attendees.

The 2025 Texas Baptists Annual Meeting is scheduled for Nov. 16-18, 2025, in Abilene.