This year's N.C. Baptist annual meeting will carry on the theme of "On Mission Together" through an emphasis on a new missions mobilization strategy and the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

N.C. Baptists, it’s almost time for one of my favorite gatherings of the year — our annual meeting. I can’t wait to see you Nov. 10-11 at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro.

This year’s theme, “On Mission Together,” highlights our shared calling in the Great Commission. It’s who we are — a movement of local churches, united and sent by Jesus to reach the lost and make disciples.

We’ll open our time on Monday night with a special Sending Celebration, where you’ll hear from missionaries being commissioned by N.C. Baptist churches to take the gospel to the nations. Hear them share about what God is doing through their lives and ministries, and together we’ll commission and pray for them as they are sent. 

Over the last couple of years, this has been a highlight of the annual meeting for so many. It is awe-inspiring and moving to together celebrate the Great Commission, God’s faithfulness to raise up laborers and each church’s role in sending.

During the Monday session, I’ll also share my annual address, where I’ll outline a comprehensive missions mobilization strategy being developed in partnership with the International Mission Board and Baptists on Mission. This initiative will focus on missions mobilization, caring for missionaries and long-term sending. I’m eager to share more details with you in Greensboro.

Our theme verse this year is Psalm 90:17: “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands.” That is our prayer as we gather — that God would show His favor and establish the work we do together in His name.

As N.C. Baptists, we want to be a movement of churches on mission together and ask the Lord to give us favor. When you attend the annual meeting, we want you to be encouraged by the different ways God is using N.C. Baptists to draw people to Himself from every tribe, tongue, people and nation. 

There are a lot of important things we could talk about, but we are going to be all about the Great Commission.

This year’s gathering will do just that. You’ll be encouraged and equipped through a full slate of breakout sessions, ministry reports, exhibits and special events. We’ll worship together, pray together and celebrate how God is at work through our churches.

Shane Pruitt, national next-gen director at the North American Mission Board, will bring the convention sermon on Tuesday. I’m excited to hear from him, especially as we devote effort and resources into the vital task of reaching the next generation for Christ.

Another highlight of every annual meeting is simply being together. I’ve heard many of you describe it as a family reunion. It’s always a joy to hear so many different voices in worship and see many committing themselves afresh to God’s mission. Last year, more than 1,900 messengers and guests joined us. It was the largest gathering since 2010. My prayer is that even more will join us this year.

This isn’t just about two days in November. “On Mission Together” is our identity all year long. Wherever and however you serve, you are part of a larger family of churches committed to the same mission. That’s what makes this annual gathering so special. It reminds us that we are not alone in the work God has called us to do.

N.C. Baptists, I believe God is moving among us in ways that we have only begun to see. He is establishing the work of our hands. He is uniting us as a movement of churches on mission together. And He is sending us into our communities, across our state and to the ends of the earth.

I hope you’ll make plans now to join us in Greensboro. Come ready to worship, ready to celebrate and ready to be sent. Let’s gather together with expectation and faith, trusting that God will do what only He can do.

By Todd Unzicker, Executive Director-Treasurer

EDITOR’S NOTE — This article originally appeared in the November/December 2025 issue of the Biblical Recorder magazine.