Hot Springs, AR—The 169th annual meeting of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) will take place on Oct. 25-26 at First Baptist Church, 2350 Central Avenue, Hot Springs. The theme for this year’s annual meeting is “The Heart of a Servant.”
Items of Convention business will be conducted which will include the election of Convention officers and ABSC team, agency and institution reports.
The 2023 ABSC Cooperative Program (CP) budget of $21 million will be presented as well as the 2023 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.
Continue reading for more information and to download schedules and lists of times, dates and locations.
Pastors’ Conference
Monday, October 24
The Pastors’ Conference will kick off at 12:00 pm with lunch in the Family Life Center at FBC Hot Springs. There is no cost, please register by Monday, October 17. Click here to register for the lunch.
The Pastors’ Conference will be a day of worship and encouragement led by pastors from around our state. The focus will be “the calling of a shepherd to love as Jesus loved,” enhancing the theme “The Heart of a Shepherd.” Jesus spoke these words “Your love to one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35NLT)
Click here to download a schedule for the Pastors’ Conference.
Ministers’ Wives Conference
Monday, October 24
The Ministers’ Wives Conference and lunch will be held in the youth worship area at First Baptist Church, Hot Springs beginning at 11:30 am.
1 Peter 3:15, “Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you about the hope you have,” is the inspiration for this year’s theme which is “Stories of Hope.” The featured speaker will be Dr. Tara Dew, wife of Dr. Jamie Dew, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Worship will be led by Tyler Lee, Interim Worship Pastor at First Baptist Church in Hot Springs.
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.
Childcare will be provided for all convention gatherings and must be reserved in advance. Click here to fill out the childcare form.
Click here to see the schedule for the Ministers’ Wives Conference.
Annual Meeting of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention
Tuesday and Wednesday, October 25-26
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, miscellaneous business, 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 download a list of convention committees.
Click here to download a complete schedule for the Annual Meeting.
Childcare will be provided for all convention gatherings and must be reserved in advance. Click here to fill out the childcare form.
Featured Events
In addition to the Pastors’ Conference and Ministers’ Wives Conference, several meetings and meals will be hosted on Monday, October 24 and Tuesday, October 25.
These events include a Fellowship Dinner for Associational Missionaries, Chaplains’ Lunch, AR Kids Ministry Network Luncheon, Young Leaders Lunch, and Seminary Alumni Luncheons. Registration is required for most of these events. See the link below for registration information.
Arkansas Baptist Children & Family Ministries will host a foster care and adoption information meeting and dinner for church leaders on Tuesday evening. Registration is required.
A retirement reception for Dr. Sonny Tucker will be held immediately following the Tuesday 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 by Wednesday, October 19.
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 vclancy@absc.org
Proposed resolutions may also be submitted at the annual meeting until 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 25.
The published convention schedule calls for resolutions to be considered during the morning session Wednesday, October 26.