Mississippi Baptists gather for 190th Annual Meeting

By Megan Young
Editor

MADISON, Miss. — Mississippi Baptists gathered for the 190th Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Oct. 27-28 at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison. The meeting brought together 823 registered messengers and 330 guests in unity from around the state for worship, fellowship, and convention business.

Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, delivered three Bible Treasures messages during the convention speaking on “He Who Has Ears, Let Us Hear” from Matthew 13:1-9, “Even If Someone Should Rise from the Dead” from Luke 16:19-31, and “Everyone Who Humbles Himself Will Be Exalted” from Luke 14:1-23.

Dr. Andrew Chesteen, pastor of First Baptist Church, New Albany, delivered the President’s Address, focusing on the importance of the local church from Ephesians 2:19-22.

Lowell Walker, Jr., pastor of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Tupelo, delivered the Convention Sermon, “Let Us Remember How the Lord Wants Us to Endure Spiritual Warfare,” from Ephesians 6:10-18. Walker is the first African American in Mississippi Baptist history to give the convention sermon. 

Rev. Shane Pruitt, National Next Gen Director for the North American Mission Board, concluded the convention with the message “Walking in Your Calling” from Ephesians 4.

Worship was led throughout the convention by groups from across the state including: First Baptist Church, New Albany; First Baptist Church, Winona; West Jackson Street Baptist Church, Tupelo; Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Tupelo; the Mississippi Baptist Singing Churchmen; Kris Smith, MBCB director of worship ministries, and fellow ministers of music; and the William Carey University Worship Choir and Band.

Changes to Constitution, Plan of Organization and Action, and Bylaws

Ryan Reed, chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee and senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Bruce, introduced proposed amendments to the Mississippi Baptist Convention’s Constitution, Plan of Organization and Action, and Bylaws.

The proposed changes to the Constitution and The Plan of Organization and Action included: altering language regarding Mississippi Baptist institutions, recognizing recent institution name changes from college to university; updating the name of the Baptist Children’s Village to the Baptist Children’s Village & Family Ministries; striking language referencing the Baptist Record advisory committee and the weekly publishing of the print newspaper; and striking ministers of music and educational directors from the Book of Reports since those are included with other ministers. These presented changes will be discussed and voted on during next year’s convention.

The proposed Bylaw changes included: striking out the Baptist Record advisory committee because which now falls under Communication Services; and striking out the Committee on Time, Place, and Preacher which will now falls under the Committee on Order of Business. 

All proposed Bylaw changes were passed by the messengers.

A complete list of changes to the Constitution, Plan of Organization and Action, and Bylaws can be viewed in full in the First Day Bulletin.

Election of Officers

The entire slate of 2026 Mississippi Baptist Convention officers were reelected for another year of service in 2027. The officers include: President, Dr. Andrew Chesteen, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, New Albany; First Vice President, Dr. Shane Freeman, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church, Petal; Second Vice President, Dr. Matt Olson, pastor of Sharon First Baptist Church, Laurel; Recording Secretary, Dr. Michael Weeks, pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Olive Branch; and Associate Recording Secretary, Rev. Bill Kirkpatrick, pastor of Dockery Baptist Church, Cleveland.

Celebrating 50 Years of Disaster Relief Ministry

Hubert Yates, director of Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief, celebrated 50 years of “help, hope, and healing in Jesus’ name” by recognizing all current and former volunteers in attendance. These volunteers remind us “that every disaster creates an opportunity for the church to be the hands and feet of Jesus.”

Yates challenged Mississippi Baptists to invest in the future of disaster relief ministry in the state through new volunteers, engaged churches, and a renewed commitment to be ready when the call comes.

Presentation of 2027 Budget

Dr. Andy Brown, chair of the Budget Committee and senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Starkville, presented a proposed 2027 Mississippi Baptist Convention Cooperative Program budget of $32,204,114. This represents an increase of $1,104,114 from the 2026 budget. 

The proposed budget increases the Southern Baptist Convention allocation to 40%, with the remaining 60% allocated to Church Retirement and Protection, Mississippi Agencies and Institutions, and the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board.

Messengers voted in favor of the proposed budget.

Evangelism Task Force

Bo Rice, chair of the Evangelism Task Force and senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Brandon, presented findings from a year-long study of the state of evangelism in Mississippi conducted through surveys sent to every pastor in the state.

In 2025, Mississippi Baptist churches recorded 9,306 baptisms — the highest number of baptisms since 2016, following five consecutive years of increase. For every 19 people in average worship attendance, one was baptized last year.

Survey results, however, indicated that only 7% of pastors ranked evangelizing as the number one priority in their ministry, with the majority ranking their passion for evangelism at 6 out of 10. Only 54% of churches provided evangelism training on a weekly basis, with just 12% of churches engaging in weekly outreach efforts.

The Evangelism Task Force concluded that the data reveals that “if evangelism is suffering, it’s not because churches don’t care, it’s because evangelism is not built into how churches actually spend time.” 

The task force then challenged Mississippi Baptist churches to cultivate Gospel conversations by starting with three steps: implementing a simple, repeatable evangelism model; using your platform to encourage others to engage in Gospel conversations; and celebrating Gospel conversations, not just outcomes. To aid churches in this endeavor, an evangelism resources webpage was created at resources.mbcb.org/evangelism.

Mississippi Sending Celebration

Dr. Shawn Parker, MBCB executive director-treasurer, began the Mississippi Sending Celebration Service with a charge to focus on healthy ministry as described by Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:1-11. Parker then commended what God is doing through the cooperative work of Mississippi Baptists to take the Gospel throughout the state and around the world.

Sean Milner, executive director of the Baptist Children’s Village & Family Ministries, commissioned five new house parents including: Hannah and Parrish Red, Monique and Ken Woodward, and Michelle Thompson.

John Allen May, director of the 242 Network, and John Maxey, MBCB director of Church Planting and Revitalization, recognized new Mississippi Baptist church planters including: Adam and Sarah Berry, Redemption Point Church, Starkville; Archie and Jennifer Bennett, The Refuge Church, Pearl; Charles and Kelly Herring, Misión Casa, Slayden; Charlie and Maggye Brand, Senatobia Bible Church, Senatobia; Chris and Olivia Willson, Church of the Heights, Starkville; Matt and Megan Brewer, The Oaks Church, Byhalia; Phillip and Katie Watts, Redemption Church, Natchez; Robbie and Stacy Wells, Infuse Church, Pass Christian; Rolando de Jesús Ortiz Bode and Elizabet Calzadilla Ramírez, Centro de Gracia, Richland; Sam and Natalie Henderson, Redemption Church, Goldwater; Trey and Meghan Clenney, Gospel Life Church, Cochram; Tyler and Kristen Burleson, Church of the Heights, Starkville; Wesley and Jamie Claire Smith, Renovate Church, Cleveland; James and Sarah White, Redeemer Church, Columbus; Brian and Meredith Woodard, Hope Church, Mathiston; and Daniel and Sherry Allen, Harvest Church, Biloxi.

Chad McCord, MBCB director of Missions Mobilization, recognized Mississippians who have been sent out as missionaries over the past year including: Alana, Pinelake Church, Reservoir, serving in Northern Italy; Colton and Brook, First Baptist Church, Columbia, serving in England; Emma, Longview Point Baptist Church, Hernando, serving in Mexico; Haley, Temple Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, serving in Japan; Jacob and Jane, First Baptist Church, Louisville, serving in Asia; Jeremiah and Jacey, Carterville Baptist Church, Pearl, serving in Southeast Asia; Noah and Emily, Thrasher Baptist Church, serving in Austria; Peter and Liv, Calvary Baptist Church, Batesville, serving in Central Asia; Sophia, Renovate Church, Cleveland, serving in Eastern Europe; and Tanner, Corinth Baptist Church, Magee, and First Baptist Church, Oxford, serving in Eastern Europe.

Resolutions

Four resolutions were presented and passed during the convention including: a resolution of appreciation to Broadmoor Baptist Church, Madison, for hosting the 190th Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Baptist Convention; a resolution celebrating the bicentennial of Mississippi Christian University; a resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief; and a resolution of gratitude to Dr. Barbara McMillin for her fifteen years of service as the eighth President of Blue Mountain Christian University. 

A complete list of the resolutions can be viewed in full in the First Day Bulletin.

191st Annual Meeting

The 191st Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Baptist Convention will take place Oct. 25-26, 2027, at First Baptist Church, Jackson. Dr. David Haynes, pastor of First Baptist Church, Senatobia, will preach the Convention Sermon. Dr. Paul Middleton, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Batesville, will serve as alternate.