INDIANAPOLIS (BP)—Nearly 11,000 Southern Baptist messengers gathered June 11-12 in Indianapolis for the 2024 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Annual Meeting. There were a total of 10,946 messengers—including more than 400 from Oklahoma. Messengers hailed from all 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico, representing 3,988 churches.

83 MISSIONARIES COMMISSIONED IN IMB SENDING CELEBRATION

The messengers were moved to joy and tears as 83 new missionaries— including four Oklahoma Baptists— were commissioned on June 11 by the International Mission Board (IMB). IMB President Paul Chitwood told the missionaries, “Beside you and behind you are row upon row, thousands of Southern Baptists, here to celebrate with you as you prepare to go to the nations.” “As you go out to literally every corner of the Earth in pursuit of the lost, may the Lord remind you that always—always—there are Southern Baptists praying fervently for you, and for the Gospel to advance.”

OFFICERS ELECTED, INCLUDING OKLAHOMA PASTOR BRAD GRAVES AS 1ST VP

A crowded field of candidates for SBC president led to numerous runoff elections in 2024. After two runoffs, North Carolina pastor Clint Pressley was named president. Pressley is senior pastor of Charlotte, Hickory Grove. Oklahoma pastor Mike Keabone of Lawton, First was among the other candidates to run for SBC president.

Brad Graves, senior pastor of Ada, First, was elected first vice president. Eddie Lopez, senior pastor of Forney, Texas, FBC en Español won the race for second vice president. Don Currence was named registration secretary, and Nathan Finn, was named recording secretary.

KEY BUSINESS & OTHER SBC MATTERS

Southern Baptist messengers did not approve what became known as the Law amendment. The amendment did receive the requisite two-thirds approval last year in New Orleans. The amendment would have defined a cooperating church as one that “affirms, appoints, or employs only men as any kind of pastor or elder as qualified by Scripture.”

Oklahoma Baptists’ Todd Fisher said, “Many who voted against the amendment did so, not because they believe women should serve in the office of elder/pastor, but rather thought the amendment to be unnecessary or that it could potentially create problematic issues regarding Baptist polity. It is important to note that the most recent version of the Baptist Faith and Message states, ‘While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor/elder/overseer is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.’”

Messengers overwhelmingly approved two recommendations brought forward by the SBC Abuse Reform and Implementation Task Force (ARITF). The recommendations hand the priorities identified by ARITF over to the SBC Executive Committee to further implement.

Messengers also approved various other motions, eight resolutions and heard various ministry reports. The 2025 SBC Annual Meeting is set to take place June 10-11 in Dallas, Tex.

Jeff Iorg, newly elected SBC Executive Committee president and CEO, gave his first presentation in the role. In his address, Iorg acknowledged Southern Baptists face great challenges focusing on God’s eternal mission while giving other issues appropriate attention.

“The mission matters most,” Iorg said, reciting a phrase he said has helped him stay on track. “This phrase reminds me to prioritize God’s eternal mission, while still recognizing other matters need appropriate attention. The mission matters most means other things do matter—but just not as much as some people advocate— and never ever to the detriment of God’s eternal mission.”

Prior to the SBC Annual Meeting, many other SBC auxiliary events took place from June 9-12 in Indianapolis. The annual Pastors’ Conference took place June 9-10 and was attended by thousands of pastors and others. The 2024 conference was led by president Stephen Rummage, pastor of Oklahoma City, Quail Springs.

Visit baptistpress.com or baptist-messenger.com for articles about the 2024 SBC Annual Meeting.