By Randy C. Davis
President & Executive Director, TBMB
Randy C. Davis
We are just days away from it being TBC Summit time in Tennessee!
The Summit is the Annual Gathering of Tennessee Baptists, and beginning on Sunday, Nov. 13, fellow Christ followers from Baptist churches across the state will convene at Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, just outside of Memphis, for these special days.
We’ll kick off Sunday evening with a historically great time of worshiping together and conclude Wednesday at noon.
Let me share with you a few reasons why I’m excited about Summit ’22 and why I hope to see you at Bellevue in a couple of weeks.
Better together
It is always such a joy to see decades-old friends and new friends recently met. I love people, especially those I am related to through our relationship with Christ.
The fellowship, camaraderie and the sharing of joy, laughter and burdens are not only biblical, but much needed. The pandemic taught us how sweet it is to be together, and Summit gives us the opportunity to do that.
Scott Shepherd, worship and music specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, leads messengers in a song of praise during the 2021 Summit at Brentwood Baptist Church, Brentwood. — Photo by James Wilson
Sunday Night Homecoming
The Sunday night worship service will be awesome. It always is. We’ll hear from Bob Pittman, one of Tennessee’s favorite preachers. Pittman was a longtime pastor of Memphis’ Kirby Woods Baptist Church. Mark Blair and the incredible worship team at Bellevue will lead in worship.
Simultaneously, dozens of different language groups will have a unique time of worship coordinated by TBMB’s William Burton and then, like good Baptists, we’ll gather in the exhibit area for desserts and fellowship after worship.
The Tennessee Baptist Convention
Summit includes many unique opportunities, but at the heart of Summit 2022 will be our 148th Tennessee Baptist Convention. This will be a time of challenge, rejoicing over Kingdom progress during the past year and conducting business important to our network of churches.
Presiding officers: Clay Hallmark, president; Travis Henderson, vice president; and Scott Brown, second vice president will lead us. Please join me now in praying for them.
Acts 2:17 Initiative
The Acts 2:17 Initiative could become the most consequential process in the TBC’s recent history and at its heart is us working together in seeking the Lord’s preferable future for our network of churches. We want to understand what opportunities God wants us to seize together; what needs He wants us to meet across our state and hearing what dreams and visions He will speak through grassroots Tennessee Baptists.
Claude King will lead specific prayer times as we approach Tuesday afternoon’s small group sessions and the opportunity to share what God has laid on our hearts. This process will launch us into the coming year as we follow up in more localized sessions and continue what we gather at Summit.
Your present assignment: Pray between now and Summit for God to fill His people with His vision so they can share during the Acts 2:17 Initiative.
Worship: Bartholomew Orr and TBC president Clay Hallmark
The TBMB’s Scott Shepherd and a host of other talented folks will lead our times of worship throughout the week. Bartholomew Orr, pastor of Brown Missionary Baptist Church, will preach the convention sermon. Orr is anchored to the biblical text, creative in delivery, passionate about the message and driven by excellence for the Lord.
And Hallmark will preach the president’s message during Tuesday night’s session. He is prophetic, practical and biblical. I can’t wait to hear our president’s challenge, knowing the message was birthed in a prayer closet.
But wait, there’s more! Much more!
There’s the Pastors Conference led by President Derek Smith, Ministers’ Wives events, affinity dinners and fellowships, a large exhibitors’ area, and ribs at the Rendezvous. It’s going to be a great time in the Bluff City!
It is a joy to be on this journey with you, all the way to Memphis.
