Jonesboro, AR—The 170th annual meeting of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) will take place on Oct. 24-25 at Walnut Street Baptist Church, 1910 Scenic Rd in Jonesboro. The theme for this year’s annual meeting, “Such as I Have” is taken from Acts 3:6, “Then Peter said, silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” (KJV)
Items of Convention business will be conducted which will include the election of Convention officers and ABSC team, agency and institution reports.
The 2024 ABSC Cooperative Program (CP) budget of $21 million will be presented as well as the 2024 goals of the ABSC Executive Board teams.
Messengers will vote on the report of the Convention Nominating Committee’s recommendations of Arkansas Baptists for service on the various ABSC Boards. Click here for the Convention Nominating Committee Report.
Messengers will be presented with a recommendation from the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws Committee amending and restating the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. The proposed changes will be presented at this year’s annual meeting and again at the 2024 annual meeting for a final vote.
Click here for the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation.
Click here for the Amended and Restated Bylaws.
Click here for the rationale and summary of the changes.
Continue reading for more information and to download schedules and lists of times, dates and locations.
Pastors’ Conference
Monday, October 23
The Pastors’ Conference will kick off at 11:30 am with lunch in the gym at Walnut Street Baptist Church. There is no cost, but registration is required no later than Monday, October 16. Click here to register for the lunch.
When D. L. Moody prayed for a pastor, he prayed that God would, “Re-sign them to ministry.” Come prepared for God to “Re-Sign,” Refresh and Renew you in His calling as you listen to messages by Robert Smith, Jr. and Jim Cymbala.
Click here to view the schedule.
Ministers’ Wives Conference
Monday, October 23
The Ministers’ Wives Conference and lunch will be held in the student room, The Point, at Walnut Street Baptist Church beginning at 11:30 am.
All ministers’ wives are invited to join in this time of fellowship and worship to establish friendships and to share in the joys and challenges that come with being a minister’s wife.
Click here to pre-register and view this year’s schedule.
Annual Meeting of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention
Tuesday and Wednesday, October 24-25
Convention President Larry D. White, pastor of Woodland Heights Baptist Church in Conway, will preside over the meeting. The annual meeting will include the election of officers, recommendations from the Executive Board and the Articles and Bylaws Committee, miscellaneous business, reports from the Credentials Committee, Convention Nominating Committee, the Sexual Abuse Response and Resource Team, and Cooperative Program ministry reports from Arkansas Baptist leaders.
Only elected messengers are entitled to vote on Convention business, but everyone is invited to connect and fellowship with other Arkansas Baptists from around the state as we join to worship, hear timely sermons, pray together, and celebrate all that God is doing around the state. Childcare will be provided and must be reserved in advance.
Click here to download information on becoming a messenger.
Click here to view a list of convention committees.
Click here to download a complete schedule for the Annual Meeting.
Click here for information on childcare.
Featured Events
In addition to the Pastors’ Conference and Ministers’ Wives Conference, several meetings and meals will be hosted on Monday, October 23 and Tuesday, October 24.
These events include Young Leaders lunch, AR Kids Ministry Network luncheon, chaplains’ lunch, and seminary alumni luncheons in addition to a Williams Baptist University alumni & friends dinner and the Associational Missionary fellowship breakfast. Registration is required for most of these events. See the link below for registration information.
A dessert reception to celebrate Camp Siloam’s 100th anniversary will be held on Tuesday following the evening session.
Resolution Submission
Anyone desiring to present a resolution to the committee should provide a copy of the proposed resolution to the address below before Wednesday, October 18.
Arkansas Baptist messengers may submit proposed resolutions by mail to:
Arkansas Baptist State Convention, Attn: Mrs. Vera Clancy, 10 Remington Drive, Little Rock, AR 72204 or by email to [email protected]
Proposed resolutions may also be submitted at the annual meeting until 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 24.
The published convention schedule calls for resolutions to be considered during the morning session Wednesday, October 25.