This year's N.C. Baptist annual meeting will carry on the theme of "On Mission Together" through new emphases on evangelism and training resources.

Welcome to this year’s N.C. Baptist annual meeting! It is a joy to gather with you all. 

This year’s meeting marks a pivotal moment in our state. North Carolina is one of the nation’s fastest growing states. We’re welcoming new neighbors every day. Yet our mission remains unchanged: reaching people from every nation, tribe and tongue with the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

That’s why we gather “On Mission Together.” That’s who we are. N.C. Baptists are a people reaching neighborhoods, sending church planters to strategic cities and mobilizing missionaries around the globe. We are autonomous but not isolated congregations. We are a movement of churches, and together we accomplish more for the kingdom than we ever could alone.

That’s one reason we gather each year — to celebrate and encourage one another. And we have lots to celebrate this year.

On Monday night, the Sending Celebration will be a time to pray over our missionaries serving around the world, to celebrate God’s faithfulness and to respond to the Great Commission. This year, we anticipate having more missionaries from N.C. Baptist churches to recognize than we have ever had before. We’ll also recognize students from our “Go Collective” — college students who are being equipped to be sent to serve on mission.

Then, stick around afterward for an ice cream social where you can connect with some of these missionaries and students to hear their stories firsthand. 

On Tuesday, we’ll celebrate the incredible momentum we’re seeing in church planting. You’ll hear how N.C. Baptist churches are planting churches across our state and ministering to unreached communities. And, learn how your church — any church — can get involved. Every church has a role in church planting.

Throughout this meeting, I’m excited for us to hear God’s Word proclaimed. Trevin Wax, vice president of resources and marketing at the North American Mission Board and the author of several thoughtful works on faith and culture, will deliver our convention sermon. Trevin is one of the most gifted critical thinkers of our day, and I trust that you’ll be equipped and reminded of who God calls us to be through his teaching. 

And as we approach 200 years as a state convention and 2000 years since Jesus gave the Great Commission, I believe God wants to do something in North Carolina that we have never seen before. I believe God is calling us to attempt something bold — an unparalleled focus on soul winning like our state has never seen.

Some of my colleagues and peers in other states have told me they sense God stirring in them something similar. What if we could see the highest number of people profess faith in Christ through baptism by the year 2033? That is a bold vision, and when I even think about it, I am reminded of the famous words of missionary William Carey: “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.”

I invite you to begin praying with me toward that end. Just as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:6, we plant together, we water together, but God gives the increase. That’s our conviction. I hope you’ll make plans to be in the room to hear more about this vision we’re calling “ReachNC” during my time to share with you in Greensboro.

There are also some exciting changes taking place at this year’s meeting. We’ve reimagined this meeting to foster even more connection. You’ll find expanded seating, new prayer spaces and fresh ways to discover resources that will strengthen your ministry and equip your leadership. We’ll also be officially launching a brand new slate of training resources and videos at this year’s meeting called “TrainNC.”

While you’re there, visit the exhibit halls to connect with N.C. Baptist staff to find out how you and your church can engage in missions, church planting and more. Also be sure to connect with our other state, national and international missions and ministry partners as well.

Enjoy this time of fellowship. I hope you take time to meet and reconnect with your N.C. Baptist and broader Baptist family. I’m excited to celebrate God’s work among us in Greensboro! Thank you for being “On Mission Together,” and I look forward to seeing you there.

By Todd Unzicker, Executive Director-Treasurer

EDITOR’S NOTE — This article originally appeared in the fall 2026 edition of the Biblical Recorder magazine.