JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (BP) – In its August 2024 meeting, the Florida Baptist State Board of Missions welcomed Stephen Rummage, who assumed the role of executive director-treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention on Aug. 17 following the retirement of Tommy Green who had served in that role since June 2015.

Exemplifying the Right Beside You focus of the Florida Baptist Convention, Green and Rummage sat side by side throughout the meeting as both men said that they are committed to ensuring a seamless leadership transition. The two leaders have known each other well for years as Rummage pastored Bell Shoals Church in Brandon from 2009 to 2019 and Green pastored First Baptist Church of Brandon from 1996 to 2015.

Rummage said he asked Green to work alongside him for his first State Board meeting, adding that Green “has been incredibly gracious, generous, helpful and Christlike in every way you can imagine. I thank God for him. It is a great honor to follow him in leadership. I am so excited about the days to come as we pursue God’s mission for the Florida Baptist Convention.”

Green, who will be moving to Tennessee as he retires, expressed optimism for the future of the Florida Baptist Convention, saying that its “greatest days are ahead” and that he fully supports Rummage.

The State Board participated in a retirement celebration for Green and his wife Karen on Aug. 29, with numerous individuals expressing love and admiration for the couple. Several Florida Baptist leaders noted Green’s integrity, encouragement and godly leadership as hallmarks of his legacy, with many stating that Green “made us better.”

Mike Orr, president of the Florida Baptist State Convention, said to Green, “You have been useful to the Master.”

Aaron Burgner, State Board president, thanked Green for his “faithful steadfastness” and bestowed on Green the title of executive director-treasurer emeritus. Rummage closed the celebration with attendees gathering around the couple as he led in prayer.

Looking toward the future of Florida Baptists as Green retires, Orr, who served as an ex officio member of the search team for the new executive director-treasurer, stated that he believed that God called and equipped Rummage to take the Florida Baptist helm.

In his first report to the State Board, Rummage quoted professional basketball player Kobe Bryant who stated once that he was a great player because he “never gets bored with the basics.” He urged attendees to do likewise – “never get bored with the basics.” Focusing on Matthew 28:19-20, the Great Commission, Rummage mentioned three words that will characterize his focus as he begins his Florida Baptist ministry role: continue, strengthen and learn. Proverbs 20:12 has become a vital Scripture to him as he becomes more acquainted with Florida Baptists, he said.

“If you really love the basics, they never get boring,” he said. “Seeing lives changed … people get saved … people being discipled … never gets old.”

His intention for Florida Baptists, he said, is “to stay on mission and to continue pursuing what God has called us to do.”

2024 Florida Baptist annual meeting

Orr shared that the theme for Florida Baptists’ Nov. 10-12, 2024, annual meeting to be held at First Orlando is A Holy People: Shining His Light in a World of Darkness.

“The world needs to see holy people,” he said.

Resolutions on November ballot initiatives

The State Board of Missions, acting on behalf of the Florida Baptist State Convention, approved two resolutions related to Amendments 3 and 4 which will be on the upcoming November ballot in Florida. Because the two amendments will appear on the ballot before the next annual meeting of the Florida Baptist State Convention, the State Board acted in an ad interim role to be “on record” speaking against the two amendments.

Regarding Amendment 3, the State Board unanimously approved A Resolution of the Florida Baptist State Convention Against Legalizing Adult Recreational Marijuana. The resolution calls on “Florida Baptist pastors to implore their congregations to mobilize and make their voices heard by voting against Amendment 3,” titled “Adult Personal Use of Marijuana.”

Regarding Amendment 4, the State unanimously approved A Resolution of the Florida Baptist State Convention to Protect Human Life in the State of Florida. The resolution calls on “Florida Baptist pastors to implore their congregations to mobilize and make their voices heard by voting against Amendment 4,” titled “Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion.” The Florida Baptist Convention has been working in partnership with One More Child to produce resources in English and Spanish for churches to use in educating church members on the essential reasons for voting against the amendment.

This article was originally written by Margaret Colson and published to flbaptist.org. Feature image provided.