More than 1,100 messengers from Baptist churches from across North Carolina gathered at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, N.C., on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 8-9 for the 191st Baptist State Convention of North Carolina’s (BSCNC) annual meeting. The theme of this year’s meeting was “On Mission Together” based on John 17:23.

More than 1,100 messengers from Baptist churches from across North Carolina gathered at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, N.C., on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 8-9 for the 191st Baptist State Convention of North Carolina’s (BSCNC) annual meeting. The theme of this year’s meeting was “On Mission Together” based on John 17:23. Here are highlights from day two of this year’s meeting. Day one highlights are available here.

Tuesday Highlights

  • At the close of registration on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 464 pastors, 157 pastors’ spouses, 261 other church staff and 268 laity had registered for this year’s annual meeting for a total of 1,150 messengers. An additional 215 visitors registered for a grand total of 1,365 in attendance.
  • H.B. Charles Jr., pastor/teacher of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church of Jacksonville and Orange Park, Florida, delivered the convention sermon, preaching from Matthew 13:24-30 and 36-43 on the subject of “Weeds in the Field.”
  • Messengers approved a 2022 Cooperative Program (CP) budget totaling $28 million, a $1 million increase over the current budget, that also increases the state convention’s allocations to Great Commission ministry partners by 3%, moving from 42% to 45%.
  • Messengers approved a measure that stipulates that any CP receipts in excess of the $28 million budget in 2022 be allocated at 50% to Great Commission ministry partners and 50% to state convention ministry groups.
  • Messengers adopted a goal of $2.1 million for the 2022 North Carolina Missions Offering.
  • BSCNC President Micheal Pardue, pastor of First Baptist Church Icard in Connelly Springs, preached from Matthew 28 on the Great Commission and the local church during his president’s address. Pardue outlined seven instructions from the passage that included obedience, worship, submission to Christ’s authority, going, making disciples, baptism and teaching.
  • All three current convention officers were re-elected to second terms of service. Pardue was re-elected president of the state convention. Quintell Hill, lead pastor of Multiply Community Church in Monroe, was re-elected as first vice president. Jason Miller, senior pastor of Dutch Cove Missionary Baptist Church in Canton, was re-elected as second vice president.
  • Messengers approved six bylaw amendments related to giving proper notice to churches on various matters related to convention business.
  • No matters were brought before the convention during the time allotted for miscellaneous business.
  • Messengers adopted an amended resolution on “Prayer and Spiritual Awakening.”
  • State convention board of directors President Matt Capps moderated a panel discussion related to how pastors and church leaders can work to prevent sexual abuse in their congregations and respond to allegations of abuse. Panelists included Amber Henderson, director of biblical counseling at Fairview Baptist Church in Apex, N.C., and attorney Samantha Kilpatrick, a contributor to the «Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused» resource.
  • Messengers received greetings from David Horton, president of Fruitland Baptist Bible College; Keith Whitfield, associate professor of theology, provost and dean of graduate studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board via video; Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board via video; Ben Mandrell, president and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources via video; and Brent Leatherwood, acting president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission via video.
  • Messengers heard reports from representatives from the state convention’s institutions and agencies. They were Clay Warf, president of the N.C. Baptist Foundation; Brian Davis, director of community and congregation engagement with N.C. Baptist Hospital; Michael C. Blackwell, president and CEO of the Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina; and Chris Hefner, chairman of the board of directors of the Biblical Recorder.
  • Next year’s annual meeting is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 7-8, 2022, at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro.