NC BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION 25

The gathering of over 2000 NC Baptists and guests in Greensboro has concluded. Though our churches can always do better, there are many reasons to celebrate how God is working through us.

The Pastor’s Conference was entitled, “Ordinary Gospel Men,” and was a reminder that God does do His extraordinary work through ordinary preachers. A number of excellent messages were shared that challenged and encouraged us.

As the Convention got under way on Monday night, we rejoiced in the sending of 22 new missionaries to various parts of the globe to share Jesus. Seeing the commitment of these men and women to the Great Commission stirs one’s soul!

Here is some of the good news shared in the meeting:

• Nearly 12,000 campers attending summer programs at Caraway, Caswell and Truett, resulting in a collective total of 467 salvations, more than 1,600 rededications and more than 500 calls to ministry.

• Nearly 140 churches entering the revitalization process, 56 healthy congregations helping others revitalize and 24 churches being replanted.

• More than 15,000 baptisms being reported by churches statewide, with nearly 2,000 coming during the Fill the Tank emphasis around Easter.

• More than 200 new churches being planted since SendNC launched in 2022.

Record amounts were given in our various missions offerings last year. Across Baptist life, NC Baptist churches were the top givers to North American and International Missions, surpassing every other State Convention.

The closing message by Shane Pruitt, national next-gen director for the North American Mission Board was powerful. It called us to seek spiritual awakening and brought those attending to their knees in prayer and tears as we pleaded for a mighty move of God.

Just before I left, I heard a young lady ask, “Are you Dennis Thurman?” To my shock, she was a granddaughter of a man and his wife, Sam and Kay Ball, who were such a blessing to us in the first church my wife and I served—Cane River in Burnsville. Their granddaughter, Reagan Bottoms, is now a Ministry Assistant for the Baptist State Convention. I had no idea! You sow the seed of Biblical truth and God multiplies the harvest. Glory to His name! Here is a picture of this young lady and myself.

Yours for the Gospel,

Dennis Thurman, AMS