LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)–Registration for messengers and local hotels is open for the June 23-24 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.
SBC President Johnny Hunt has selected “LoveLoud – Actions Speak Louder Than Words” (Matt. 5:16) as the theme for this year’s sessions.
Hunt, pastor of the Atlanta-area First Church in Woodstock, told Baptist Press he hopes the LoveLoud emphasis will “challenge our denomination to demonstrate to our communities, our country and around the world the difference Jesus Christ makes in our lives and in our churches.”
“This world has HEARD much from the church about who we are and what we believe. Too often they don’t SEE the church as being a different entity than others in their communities.
“The church simply has to become more of a force to penetrate the darkness that is increasing in our world,” Hunt said.
The annual meeting is being held in Louisville in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the founding of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS).
(For a list of SBTS sesquicentennial events, go to www.sbts.edu/about/sesquicentennial.)
Churches can register their messengers online at www.sbc.net to avoid waiting at the counter upon arrival at the convention. By registering online, the SBC website gives a church a messenger reference number form to be printed out and presented by each messenger at the SBC registration booth in exchange for a nametag and a set of ballots. The appropriate church-authorized representative must complete all online registrations.
The traditional registration method also is available for those churches that are unable or may not opt to access the online registration. Registration cards are available from state convention offices.
Each year’s SBC annual meeting includes a Crossover evangelistic outreach across the local community (June 20 in Louisville); the Pastors’ Conference, Woman’s Missionary Union celebration and numerous other meetings of SBC-related organizations; childcare and age-appropriate programs for children and youth. (See details below).
For further information about online registration and hotel choices for the SBC annual meeting in Louisville, visit www.sbc.net.
Additional SBC meetings planned around annual meeting
Compiled by Shannon Baker, BCM/D National Correspondent
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The following meetings will take place around the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention:
Pastors’ Conference: June 21-22
• What If? — One Mind, One Love, One Spirit, One Purpose
• Kentucky Exposition Center
• Featuring Mike Huckabee, Mac Brunson, Chuck Colson, Johnny Hunt, Ed Stetzer, Francis Chan, Tom Eliff, Fred Luter, Dennis Swanberg, and others
Pastors’ Wives Conference: June 22, 8:30 a.m.
• Women of Truth
• Kentucky Exposition Center, B101-105
• Featuring Elizabeth Luter, Mary Mohler and Mary Kassian
Ministers’ Wives Luncheon: June 23, 11 a.m.
• Quiet Influence
• Kentucky Exposition Center, South Wing C
• Featuring a Women’s Expo and authors Debbie Brunson, Jeana Floyd, Donna Gaines, Susie Hawkins, Janet Hunt, and Diane Strack
• To purchase tickets, go to www.dianestrack.com or call (512) 258- 9021.
Conference of Associational Directors of Missions: June 21-22
• Servant Leadership
• Fern Valley Hotel and Conference Center
• Featuring Ken Hemphill, Thom Rainer, O.S. Hawkins, Greg Frizzel, and others
WMU Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting: June 21-22
• Change a Life. Change the World.
• St. Matthews Baptist Church
• Featuring a unique Kentucky Missions Fair, an exciting Passport to Missions interactive area, and messages from Kaye Miller, Wanda Lee, Larry Martin, and multiple NAMB and IMB missionaries
National African American Fellowship: SBC, June 21-22
• First Gethsemane Baptist Church
• Featuring T. Vaughn Walker, Lincoln Bingham, Robert Lee, Michael R. Pigg
• Ticket price: $25.00 per person. RSVP, pay for the banquet, and/or send annual NAAF donations to: National African American Fellowship, SBC, Dr. Mark Croston, Treasurer, P.O. Box 1834, Suffolk, VA 23439. Contact at (757) 539-3324 or m.croston@naafsbc.org.
The Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists: June 19-21
(Retreat June 19-20 for COSBE Members)
• Mounting Up As Eagles
• Galt House Hotel
• Featuring Ed Stetzer, Joyce (Mrs. Adrian) Rogers, Ergun Caner, Johnny Hunt, Sammy Tippit, and Ron Herrod
National Hispanic Celebration: June 21-22
• Living with Urgency: Sowing Together for the Harvest
• Parkland Baptist Church/ Kentucky Exposition Center, Rooms C201-C202
• For information, call (770) 410-6330 or email cpacheco@namb.net.
Southern Baptist Messianic Fellowship: June 19-20
• Kentucky Exposition Center, Room South C205, Level 2
• For more information, visit SBMF2009@sbmessianic.net.
Council of Korean Southern Baptist Churches in America: June 22-24
• We and the Lord and the Word
• Louisville Marriott East
Children and Students
Preschool childcare: June 22-24
• Kentucky Exposition Center
• For newborns to three-year-olds
• The cost per session is $5 per child, not to exceed $40 per family, plus a $10 non-refundable registration fee. Lunch also will be available for preschoolers on Monday and Tuesday at $5 per meal. Complete payment is due for all sessions, and lunch if selected, no later than arrival at the first session.
• Registration is being handled exclusively online at www.sbc.net. The deadline for preschool childcare registration is June 1 and is limited to 150 children. Parents wanting to register their children after June 1 may print the required information and bring it to Louisville, where they will be registered on-site on a space-available basis. Questions about this year’s childcare can be directed to childcare@sbc.net.
Children’s Conference: June 22-24
• Pirates of the Cranium!
• For children ages 4-12
• The cost for the children’s conference is $45 per child. However, only $20 is required per child to register, which is nonrefundable. The balance (an additional $25 per child) is due upon arrival at the conference, although advance payments for the full amount may be made.
• To register, visit www.sbc.net, then click on 2009 SBC Annual Meeting, then click on Children/Students section, or go directly to www.childrensconferences.com, then click on Louisville, June 22-24.
• Questions can be phoned to Children’s Conferences International at 248-346-5373 or e-mailed to info@childrensconferences.com. The deadline for enrollment is June 1 and is limited to 400 children. Parents wanting to register their children after June 1 may inquire at the first session, where they will be registered on-site on a space-available basis.
Fuge (for rising 7th graders-College students): June 22-24
• MOVE — A Faith Journey
• Kentucky Exposition Center
• Students of parents attending the SBC annual meeting may attend all Fuge sessions for $40.
• Churches and individuals can call 1-877-CAMP-123 for more details and to pre-register. The SBC camp website is www2.lifeway.com/fuge/index.php/centrifuge/sbc.
Seminary Luncheons
Alumni and friends of the Southern Baptist Convention’s six seminaries are invited to the following seminary luncheons on Wednesday, June 24:
Golden Gate, 12:30 p.m.
• Kentucky Exposition Center, Room South C202
• Featuring GGBTS President Jeff Iorg
• Tickets, at $10 per person, are available by calling (888) 442-8709 or can be purchased at the seminary’s Exhibit Hall booth.
Midwestern, noon
• Kentucky Exposition Center in Room South C203.
• Featuring MBTS alumnus Michael Catt, pastor of Sherwood Church in Albany, Ga.
• To add your name to the seating list, contact Midwestern’s institutional advancement at (816) 414-3720 or Iaoffice@mbts.edu. Including complete names of all attendees and your contact information. Reservations are required by Friday, June 19. Reserved tickets can be picked up at Midwestern’s Exhibit Hall booth on Tuesday, June 23.
New Orleans, immediately after SBC’s morning session
• Kentucky Exposition Center in Rooms South B102-103
• Featuring NOBTS President Chuck Kelley
• Reservations are $17.50 per person ($35 per couple) if made by June 15, $20 per person thereafter. To purchase a ticket before the SBC, make a check payable to NOBTS and mail to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Attention Alumni Relations, 3939 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70126. Tickets may be picked up at the seminary’s Exhibit Hall booth and can be purchased there.
Southeastern Seminary, noon
• Kentucky Exposition Center in Rooms South C204-205
• Featuring SBC President Johnny Hunt, SEBTS President Daniel Akin, and IMB President Jerry Rankin
• The cost per guest is $20; reservations can be made by visiting sebts.edu or calling (919) 761-2203.
Southern Seminary, 12:30 p.m.
• Heritage Hall and main gymnasium at SBTS’s campus
• Featuring SBTS President R. Albert Mohler Jr.
• From 3-5 p.m., guests may tour Southern’s campus. Tours will begin in the new Sesquicentennial Pavilion, a welcome pavilion that features a seminary video and houses the institution’s admissions offices. Luncheon tickets are $18 and may be purchased by calling (502) 714-6500 or e-mailing eventproductions@sbts.edu. Shuttle service will be provided from the convention center to Southern’s campus.
Southwestern Seminary, 12:30 p.m.
• Kentucky Exposition Center in Rooms South B104-105
• Featuring SWBTS President Paige Patterson
• Tickets, at $10 per person before June 1, may be purchased online at www.swbts.edu/sbclunch or by calling toll-free (877) GO SWBTS (467-9287). Tickets after June 1 will be $15 per person and will be available online or at Southwestern’s Exhibit Hall booth.