The Southern Baptist Convention is in Indianapolis this year. We had the luxury of having the convention in San Antonio last year. It was very convenient for us Texans. It will take an effort to get us all the way to Indiana. Let me tell you why I think it is important to attend.

The greatest gospel preaching missionary force ever supported comes from the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention. We have 5,000 plus international missionaries penetrating the darkness all around the world. They are going to people groups who have never heard the gospel. They are worthy of our prayers and participation. There are 5,000 missionaries in North America working together with state conventions and local associations. They do everything from chaplaincy to apartment ministries. With the world coming to America and our culture becoming less Christian we need the North American missionaries as never before. Your presence will encourage them. Ask yourself, isn’t it worth your time and effort to embrace this wonderful mission enterprise by your presence?

Seminaries are at an all time enrollment high. These students are able to receive a quality biblical education at a reduced cost due to the Cooperative Program. We are investing in both them and CP when we attend the annual meeting. It sends a signal that we are concerned about them.

Cultural issues are at the forefront in presidential election year. The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission is the mouse that roars. With the smallest piece of the CP pie, the ERLC makes known to the world the biblical convictions of Southern Baptists. The ERLC also is a prophetic voice to Southern Baptists speaking the Word to us about

living our faith in a dying culture. The ERLC is strengthened when we are there to express our opinion on social and moral issues that confront us and our world.

There will be witnessing opportunities in Indiana. Wherever we go we can find lost people but the areas outside of the south usually have more unreached. This would be a good time for you or your church to do a stateside mission trip. You can participate in Crossover and see the Word of God unleashed.

Some say they are turned off by the “politics” and negatives of debate in the SBC. It matters who serves as President. Some doctrinal and practical matters must be clarified in our cooperative work. Dialogue is good. Debate is even acceptable. Divisiveness is not. It is important to let your voice be heard. If the Southern Baptist Convention is a useful tool in the Lord’s work, and I believe it is, then we must be involved. There will always be the disgruntled, but let’s be the positive, missionary ones to raise the level of cooperation to touch a lost world. It matters that we are there to express our concern for the direction of this wonderful vehicle known as the SBC.

Please pray for me as I conclude my duties as First Vice-President of the Southern Baptist Convention. It has been an honor to serve. I look forward to seeing you in Indianapolis.