Mississippi Baptist Convention concludes sessions

By Tony Martin
Editor

The 188th Mississippi Baptist Convention finished business Wednesday, October 30, at First Church, Jackson. The final count of Messengers registered at the 2024 Annual Meeting was 803, with 70 guests in attendance. This was the largest number of participants since 2016.

Highlights of the Tuesday evening program included:

  • A video testimony detailing the work of  Prison Ministry;
  • Congregational music led by Kristopher Smith, Director of Worship Ministries, Mississippi Baptist Convention Board (MBCB), with a mass choir from several churches;
  • A message from Shawn Parker, Executive Director-Treasurer, MBCB. Dr. Parker’s message was titled The Big Picture, based on Revelation 7:9.

Shawn Parker, MBCB Executive Director-Treasurer, delivers the message during the Tuesday evening session of the Mississippi Baptist Convention on Oct. 29 at First Church, Jackson. (Photo credit: Bart Lambright)

Wednesday morning, the messengers were informed by Mark Taylor, Senior Pastor, New Hope Church, Saltillo, that the Time, Place, and Preacher Committee was recommending the 2025 Annual Meeting be October 28-29, at Broadmoor Church, Madison. Smokey Gibson will be the convention preacher; Jason Webb, alternate.

A video testimony on Summer Missions was shared.

James Hunsucker, pastor, Elmo Church, Roxie, was recognized as Bivocational Pastor of the Year.

President Bill Hurt introduced Blue Mountain Christian, Mississippi College, and William Carey University presidents, with MC President Blake Thompson giving a report from the college.

After being led in worship by the Worship Collective of MC, Anthony George, Senior Pastor, First Church, Atlanta, Georgia, delivered a messaged entitled “The Impact We Make Through Prayer,” using Ephesians 6:17-19 as his text.

Hurt shared closing remarks, and Luke Gardner, Senior Pastor, First Church, Kosciusko, offered the benediction.