The first day of the 195th annual meeting of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina had more than 1,600 messengers and guests gathered at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, Monday, Nov. 10.

The first day of the 195th annual meeting of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina had more than 1,600 messengers and guests gathered at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, Monday, Nov. 10. The theme of this year’s meeting is “On Mission Together” with Psalm 90:17 as the supporting verse.

Monday recap

  • As of 6 p.m. Monday, 496 pastors, 351 church staff and 508 laity registered for this year’s annual meeting for a total of 1,355 messengers. An additional 308 guests registered for an opening-session total of 1,663 in attendance.
  • Messengers approved a motion for next year’s annual meeting to be held Nov. 16-17, 2026, at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro.
  • Messengers approved a motion for Trevin Wax, vice president of research and resource development for the North American Mission Board, to deliver the 2026 convention sermon.
  • Richard Brunson, executive director for N.C. Baptists on Mission, was joined by Asatur Nahapetyan of the Armenian Baptist Union and Alicia Jones, missionary in Hungary, to bring greetings to messengers.
  • Scott Pace, provost and dean of graduate studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, shared a report on behalf of the seminary and Judson College.
  • David Horton, president of Fruitland Baptist Bible College, delivered his final report to messengers at an annual meeting as Fruitland’s president. Horton has announced his plans to retire effective March 31, 2026. 
  • In his annual address, N.C. Baptist Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker announced a new missions mobilization initiative that will focus on helping churches engage in missions in the areas of strategizing, mobilizing, caring and connecting.
  • The opening session concluded with a “Sending Celebration” that featured 22 missionaries being sent out from 10 N.C. Baptist churches to take the gospel to the nations.

Tuesday highlights & reminders

  • Download the N.C. Baptist mobile app for access to information, resources and details pertaining to the annual meeting.
  • A listening session for the proposed 2026 Cooperative Program budget is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. in the Pinehurst Room.
  • A listening session for the proposed changes to the state convention’s articles and bylaws is scheduled for 8 a.m. in the Turnberry Room.
  • Registration is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • The exhibit halls are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Attendees will have the opportunity to attend a variety of breakout session offerings at 11 a.m. A complete list of breakout session titles and descriptions is available at ncannualmeeting.org/breakouts and on the N.C. Baptist mobile app.
  • State convention President Allen Murray, pastor of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in Supply, N.C., will deliver the president’s address at 9:15 a.m.
  • Election of 2026 state convention officers is scheduled for 9:40 a.m. as a fixed order of business.
  • The first board of directors’ report is scheduled for 10:05 a.m. and will include the presentation of proposed changes to the state convention’s articles and bylaws for consideration.
  • The time for miscellaneous business is scheduled for 10:20 a.m.
  • Messengers will consider the $30 million Cooperative Program budget proposal for 2026 during the second board of directors’ report at 1:55 p.m., which is a fixed order of business.
  • Messengers will consider the Committee on Nominations report at 2:15 p.m.
  • Messengers will hear reports from other N.C. Baptist entities at 2:20 p.m. They include: Provision Financial Resources of N.C. Baptists, the Biblical Recorder, the Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina and N.C. Baptists on Mission.
  • Shane Pruitt, national next-gen director with the North American Mission Board, will deliver the convention sermon at 3 p.m.
  • Messengers can provide feedback on this year’s annual meeting through the N.C. Baptist mobile app or through an online evaluation form available at ncannualmeeting.org/evaluation.

Receive live updates about the annual meeting through the official N.C. Baptist social media channels by following @ncbaptist on Facebook, X and Instagram. The official 2025 annual meeting hashtag is #OnMissionTogether.