Suggested Report
Materials
For Annual Associational
Meetings, 2015
STATE MISSIONS
Georgia Baptist Convention state missionaries seek to reduce lostness
by focusing with Baptists on Spiritual Renewal resulting in
Kingdom Generosity,
Church Revitalization,
Church Planting,
And Authentic Evangelism.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/ADMINISTRATION
J. Robert White, State Missionary
[email protected]
Assisting Georgia Baptists in reaching lost people in Georgia for Jesus Christ is the priority of
all state missions ministries. State missionaries began aligning all ministries with the 5 Smooth
Stones following their adoption at the 2011 Convention annual meeting. The 5 Smooth Stones or core
initiatives of Spiritual Renewal, Kingdom Generosity, Church Revitalization, Church Planting, and
Authentic Evangelism, will help Georgia Baptists reach the projected 8.1 million lost people expected to
live in Georgia by the year 2020. It will take spiritual renewal among all Georgia Baptists resulting in our
working together to accomplish these initiatives in order to make the needed impact of the Gospel upon
our state.
The administration of state missions is the responsibility of the Executive Committee of the Georgia
Baptist Convention. The ministries and operations of state missions are under the leadership of
Executive Director, J. Robert White. State missionaries serve through the various ministries across the
state assisting our churches in responding to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
The Georgia Woman’s Missionary Union and Women’s Enrichment Ministries is an auxiliary to the
Georgia Baptist Convention and serves our churches through providing resources, training and mission
opportunities. The Christian Index serves the interests of state missions in the publication of news and
in promotion of the various ministry activities.
State missions ministry is supported through the Cooperative Program and the annual Mission
Georgia Offering. It depends upon the local church family to faithfully and unselfishly share their
resources through our cooperative efforts to reach Georgia with the Gospel and provide a strong base
for carrying out the Great Commission throughout the world.
ETHICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Mike Griffin, Part-Time Consultant
[email protected]
http://gabaptist.org/publicaffairs/
During 2014, the Georgia Baptist Convention supported several bills. There are three that stand out:
Senate Bill 98 (SB 98), House Bill 1023 (HB 1023)/Senate Bill 377 (SB 377) and House Bill 60 (HB 60).
 SB 98 was written to prohibit taxpayer-funded abortion through state and federal insurance
plans. Georgia Baptists have a strong history of standing against abortion. This bill passed and
became effective on April 21, 2014.
 HB 1023/SB 377 (Religious Freedom Restoration Acts) were written to protect religious
freedom in Georgia. Eighteen states have passed religious freedom legislation and judges in
thirteen additional states have affirmed this important protection. Due to various interest groups,
these bills were not passed.
 HB 60 (Safe Carry Protection Act) included a section to allow churches to “opt-in” which would
provide churches with the option of allowing licensed gun permit owners to possess a gun on
church property. Georgia Baptists believe in the autonomy of each church and this bill allows
churches to choose on this matter. This bill was signed into law by Governor Deal.
 For more information email above or phone: 706-436-2646.
ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Robert A. Boswell, State Missionary
[email protected]
The State Missionaries of the Georgia Baptist Convention provide leadership training, conferences and
resources to assist 3,600 Georgia Baptist churches. Each event, conference and resource is designed
to assist churches with Mission Georgia, the 5 Smooth Stones emphasis: Spiritual Renewal,
Kingdom Generosity, Church Revitalization, Church Planting and Authentic Evangelism.
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Associational Missions
Church Financial Services
Church Minister Relations
Church Planting Ministries
Church Revitalization and Leadership Ministries
Collegiate Ministries
Communication Services
Cooperative Program, Stewardship and Endownment Ministries
Discipleship and Spiritual Renewal Ministries
Evangelism Ministries
Georgia Baptist Conference Centers – Toccoa, Norman Park
Information Services
Intercultural Church Planting and Missions Ministries
Men’s Ministries
Music and Worship Ministries
Regional State Missionaries
Research Services
Sunday School/Small Groups Ministries
Woman’s Missionary Union/Women’s Enrichment Ministries
Youth Ministries
State missionaries are available for consultation to associations and churches. You may contact each
ministry by phone at 800-RING-GBC (800.746.4422), 770.455,0404 or visit the GBC website at
www.gabaptist.org to receive the latest information in each of these ministries.
In addition to state missionaries located at the Georgia Baptist Missions and Ministry Center in Duluth,
numerous field personnel are located throughout the state. Among those available are the Regional
State Missionaries located in three regions of Georgia. The RSM contact information is:
Charles Drummond, North Georgia Region, Augusta
[email protected]
Harris Malcom, Middle Georgia Region, Monroe
[email protected]
Mike Everson, South Georgia Region, Valdosta
[email protected]
George Barnett, Part-time, North Georgia
[email protected]
Each ministry exists to serve the associations and churches of the Georgia Baptist Convention,
strengthen churches and reduce lostness in Georgia. You may contact Robert A. Boswell, Assistant
Executive Director at 6405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, Georgia 30097 or call 800.RING.GBC,
770.936.5381 or e-mail - [email protected].
VICE PRESIDENT OF EVANGELISM, CHURCH REVITALIZATION & LEADERSHIP MINISTRIES
Larry Wynn, State Missionary
[email protected]
Church Revitalization is a process that begins with the pastor, the leader of the church. The pastor is
the gatekeeper and the communicator of vision for the church. Our goal is to help pastors understand
and embrace the process for revitalization in the church. Revitalization begins as the pastor influences
the church and leads the church into revitalization. The church makes changes and as a result the
community is impacted with the Gospel.
PASTOR ROUNDTABLES
Our most requested revitalization tool is the pastor roundtable. Pastor roundtables are being promoted
throughout the state. Its foundation is Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the
countenance of his friend.” (NKJV) The purpose of the pastor roundtable is to strengthen pastors
through the open exchange of questions, ideas, best practices, mistakes and successes. It’s an
environment where pastors can come together to exchange ideas and discuss topics related to ministry
in the local church. These groups typically involve five to ten pastors representing churches of similar
size, demographics, etc… These churches do not have to all do church the same way. We welcome
diversity in this format because we can learn a lot from each other. The meeting is a productive time of
encouragement and discussion. Pastor Roundtable guidelines.
PASTOR ENCOURAGEMENT WORKSHOPS
These regional workshops are led by pastors and ministry leaders who have experienced significant
growth in their churches and ministries. Workshop topics may include: bi-vocational pastoring, how to
organize effective evangelistic events, harmony in the church, effective church mergers, Everyone
Communicates, Few Connect, Kingdom generosity and Great Commission resource centers.
OTHER RESOURCES
The Church Revitalization team provides resources to assist pastors with the revitalization process.
These resources include personal growth and development, communicating and connecting effectively,
Ten Commandments for New Pastors, embracing change, transitional pastoring, time management, bivocational pastoring, and consultation. We also resource the church through the existing tools of
evangelism, Sunday School/small groups, discipleship, church assessments, community assessments,
effective church mergers, and strategic planning. http://gabaptist.org/church-revitalization.
VICE PRESIDENT OF STAFF COORDINATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Steve Parr, State Missionary
[email protected]
The ministry of Staff Coordination and Development exists to provide leadership for all Georgia state
missionaries to coordinate ministries, strategies, and calendars, to develop the leadership of the staff
through training and coaching, and to lead toward alignment of all of the ministries around the Mission
Georgia vision and the five priorities often referred to as The 5 Smooth Stones.
The vision of the Georgia Baptist Convention is as follows:
The Georgia Baptist Convention will seek to reduce lostness by focusing with Baptists on
Spiritual Renewal resulting in Kingdom Generosity, Church Revitalization, Church Planting
and Authentic Evangelism.
The office of the Vice-President of Staff Coordination and Development works with all ministry areas to
focus, prioritize, and serve Georgia Baptist Churches in context of this vision. Further, the ministry
works with state missionaries to connect with all Georgia Baptist Churches to communicate, challenge,
and celebrate the elevation and application of each component of the 5 Smooth Stones.
Responsibilities related specifically to this ministry area include but are not limited to:
-Service on the Executive Leadership Team.
-Planning and leading staff meetings to enhance communication for and between staff
members.
-Planning staff fellowship opportunities throughout the year.
-Seeking to align all staff members around the vison of Mission Georgia.
-Working with staff to coordinate calendars and enhance ministry activities.
-Developing training opportunities to improve staff performance including an annual Staff
Retreat.
-Working with church and associational leaders to provide quality ministry experiences to
strengthen their ministries and leadership.
For more information, please go to www.the5smoothstones.com.
STATE MISSIONS MINISTRIES
ASSOCIATIONAL MISSIONS/DISASTER RELIEF/MISSIONS MOBILIZATION MINISTRIES
Frank A. Nuckolls, State Missionary
[email protected]
This ministry area seeks to engage Georgia Baptists in accomplishing the Great Commission through
the mission of the “5 Smooth Stones.” This task is accomplished through the following ministries:
 Associational Missions
 Associational Ministries
 Disaster Relief Ministries
 Mobilization Ministries
Associational Missions Ministries engaged Georgia Baptists in accomplishing the Great Commission
through:
 Engaging associations in the development and implementation of a missional strategy.
 Equipping associational missionaries in Great Commission ministry.
 Encouraging and enlisting approximately 20,000 volunteers to serve on mission in Appalachia
through a partnership with Appalachian Regional Ministries of the North American Mission
Board. (www.arministry.org)
 Engaging Georgia Baptists to provide 22,501 Christmas Backpacks for Appalachian Children,
resulting in 701 professions of faith in Christ.
 Equipping approximately one thousand church leaders through Continuing Education Ministries
in associational, African-American, ethnic, and prison Continuing Education Centers.
For additional information on Associational Missions Ministries contact Frank Nuckolls at
[email protected].
Associational Ministries engaged Georgia Baptists in accomplishing the Great Commission through:
 Encouraging, assisting, and training Georgia Baptist chaplains who serve in the military,
hospitals, prisons, businesses, and institutions.
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Supporting church and community ministries through 10 Baptist ministry centers throughout
Georgia. These centers served 10,000 people.
Coordinating prison evangelism, ministry, and continuing education classes that ministered to
50,000 inmates.
Addiction Recovery Ministries through HEART Ministries and Penfield Christian Homes. These
ministries served 130 men and women.
Enlisting, training, and supervising student summer missionaries to serve in local associations.
In 2014, 35 student summer missionaries were trained and sent out to do missions and ministry
in Georgia, resulting in 130 professions of faith in Christ.
Promoting and administering the Southern Baptist Global Hunger Offering serving 5 million
meals with 22,000 professions of faith in Christ in North America.
Supporting and directing the Missionary Service Corp (MSC) ministry in Georgia. There are 55
MSC missionaries doing multiple ministries in Georgia, including food ministries, homeless
ministries, evangelism ministries, and church support.
Partnering with Resort Ministries to evangelize people in the resort setting. Locations for Resort
Ministries include Helen, Northeast Georgia, and the Golden Isles.
For additional information on Associational Ministries, please contact Ricky Thrasher at
[email protected].
Disaster Relief and Mobilization Ministries
Disaster Relief and Mission Mobilization Ministries seek to encourage Georgia Baptists to be
strategically missional.
 This ministry helps Georgia Baptist churches and associations to develop a missional strategy
to engage all four mission fields of Acts 1:8.
 We assist churches by connecting them with mission opportunities in Georgia, the nation, and
internationally. GBC churches can find opportunities for service and resources for missions
through the website: www.missiongeorgia.org.
 We credential volunteers to “Serve Christ in Crisis” during times of disaster response. Even
though Georgia has not had many natural disasters in recent years, we need to be ready for the
next storm that comes. For additional information on Disaster Relief visit our website at
www.gbcdisasterrelief.org.
 We provide additional opportunities for ministry through other ministries such as Baptist Builders
and Campers on Mission.
For additional information on Disaster Relief and Mobilization Ministries, please contact Stuart Lang at
[email protected].
CHURCH FINANCIAL SERVICES
Keith Hamilton, State Missionary
[email protected]
The Church Financial Services team seeks to build partnerships and relationships with church financial
leaders and church employees to provide a Biblical financial planning ministry of insurance, retirement,
investment, estate planning, and tax matters. Church Financial Services seeks to encourage ministers
and churches to utilize the services of GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist
Convention. Churches need to consider providing retirement contributions, medical, life, accidental, and
disability insurance as employer-provided benefit for their church staff.
Over 200 workshops, seminars, and private appointments were conducted by the state missionaries in
this ministry area by training at least 6,200 church financial leaders. Also, the church staff
compensation study was offered to Georgia Baptist Convention churches free of charge because of
gifts through the Cooperative Program.
Church Financial Services seeks to teach kingdom generosity through regional church money
management workshops hosted by individual associations. The compliance seminars were conducted
statewide. The Church Financial Services team is committed to teaching the importance of a church
blessing its staff. Contact Church Financial Services to see about scheduling a conference for your
association or church.
Church Financial Services seeks to enhance generosity through the ministry of the Hot Financial
Topics. The one page newsletter that is offered through the website is designed to help churches
comply with governmental regulations. Hot Financial Topics provide educational assistance, housing
allowance, increasing church offerings, and many topics to encourage churches to be generous with
their staff financially. Additionally, the Hot Financial Topics were compiled into a book to assist local
church leaders.
The Georgia Baptist Convention and GuideStone Financial Resources of the SBC models the spirit of
kingdom generosity by offering to pay for survivor protection benefits up to $100,000 and up to $500
monthly disability income benefits for ministers and church staff members participating in the Church
Retirement Plan. What a tremendous benefit available to ministers and church employees!
Church Financial Services seeks to assist churches in church revitalization issues in legal matters
through written materials. Church financial policies and designated fund management booklets are
available to supplement these resources.
The website for Church Financial Services is a tool to assist ministers, budget and personnel
committees, accounting professionals, church treasurers, financial secretaries, and church secretaries
in financial concerns. The website contains articles or web links to assist churches in financial
management issues. www.churchfinancialservices.org.
Church Financial Services seeks to assist churches and their staffs with the following resources in
kingdom generosity and church revitalization:
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Providing leadership training workshops and materials in insurance, investment, estate
planning, retirement, and tax matters;
Assisting church staff members and retirees in understanding and utilizing the services of the
GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention;
Helping church staff members and churches understand the importance of Biblical financial
planning principles; and
Conducting basic financial compliance seminars and workshops.
CHURCH-MINISTER RELATIONS
Marcus Merritt, State Missionary
[email protected]
Church-Minister Relations seeks to provide its ministries to ministers, churches and associations in a
personal, professional and biblical manner. We always honor the autonomy of the local church,
association, and the New Testament office of pastor. Our department is directly related to the office of
Dr. J. Robert White, Executive Director of the Georgia Baptist Convention, and is funded through the
Cooperative Program.
Our ministries are wide in variety but the focus remains on pointing individuals back to Christ. This
focus blends itself easily onto the mission of The 5 Smooth Stones, particularly church revitalization.
Our events and training opportunities are created and focused on the individual person, their
relationship to Christ and turning their focus back to the spiritual health of their church. Through our
staff we desire to equip them to focus on church revitalization. To access Church Minister Relations
use: [email protected]
Resume Services: These services are available to any minister who is open to a new place of ministry
and to churches, associations, institutions and agencies that are searching for new leadership. We do
not make recommendations, but share resumes as information only through a profile system
determined by those making the request. During 2014, we received 303 requests for resumes and we
shared 13,996 individual copies of resumes. To access the resume service use:
http://resume.sbcworkspace.com/Default.aspx
Committee Training/Consultation: We provide training/orientation for the local church search
committee focused on open pastor and staff ministry positions. This training/orientation program is
done on the local church field and can be scheduled through the Church-Minister Relations office. We
are also available to meet on the church field during transitional times with search committees,
personnel committees, other official church groups, or the entire congregation to help during the interim
period. Last year 26 Georgia Baptist churches requested and participated in these services.
Pastoral Care: This ministry reaches out to Georgia Baptist ministers, their families, and the GBC staff
with compassion, encouragement, prayer, support, and assistance during times of illness and crisis
through personal contacts and on-site visits. Each month, our staff traveled an average of 7,000 miles,
extending an average of 60 visits to GBC ministers and their families, 12 visits with Associational
Missionaries and 20 with GBC employees. An average of 500 more contacts were made by phone, email and regular mail.
Barnabas Ministry: The Barnabas Ministry is an ongoing outreach and ministry of the Georgia Baptist
Convention to terminated and hurting ministers. Georgia Baptist Churches forcibly terminated 45
Pastors (full-time and bi-vocational) and 12 full time church staff members; resulting in 57 ministers
being forcibly terminated during 2014. Our office gives leadership and direction to the “Barnabas
Ministry: Georgia Baptists Caring for Hurt Ministers and their Families.” This ministry includes nine
major areas; (1) Counseling for Ministers and Family, (2) Career Consultation, (3) Subscription to The
Christian Index, (4) Resume Service, (5) Limited Housing, (6) Emergency Food, (7) Financial Aid, (8)
Encouragement, and (9) Retreats. This year 26 forcibly terminated ministers were helped with financial
aid totaling over $44,925.15. In 2014, 9 couples attended the Barnabas Ministry Couples Retreats for
hurting ministers.
Interim Ministries: On any given day; an average of 10% of Georgia Baptist churches are seeking a
pastor. Our office is available for consulting with churches during the interim time to help the church
discover which type of interim ministry is best for the church and how to enter into the chosen type. As
a service to both ministers and churches, our office keeps a roster of available interim ministers. In
2014, 13 churches requested resumes for an interim minister and we mailed 105 resumes in response.
We offer Transitional Pastor Training in partnership with LifeWay Christian Ministries.
Deacon Ministry: Our ministry gives leadership to the Deacon ministry by providing Georgia Baptist
churches with deacon training and resources that will help the church achieve its ministry objectives.
We annually offer a Pastor/Deacon/Spouse Retreat that is held at one of the Georgia Baptist
Conference Centers. In 2014, the theme was ‘Leading with courage and commitment’. Dr. Rick Lance
and Rev. Herman Parker led our Conference. We had a total of 97 participants.
Conflict Mediation: When ministers and/or churches find themselves in conflict, we are available for
counsel, mediation and arbitrations. Our office is available to help both churches and ministers. This
year 10 Georgia Baptist churches contacted our office for assistance related to conflict.
Counseling Services: In 2014, the Georgia Baptist Convention, partnering with The Georgia Baptist
Health Care Ministry Foundation, provided professional counseling services for Georgia Baptist
ministers and their immediate family members. Last year we had 15 reported cases of Georgia Baptist
ministers and family members that were helped through counseling with the Convention’s co-payment
totaling $3659.00 for 109 counseling sessions. The Convention’s co-payments apply only to qualified
ministers, and their immediate family members. Local churches are encouraged to utilize these
counseling services for church members and others in the community. A list of Christian Counselors is
available through the Church-Minister Relations website. Our office also has a partnership with the
“Clergy in Crisis” program of The Pastoral Institute of Columbus, Georgia.
Forgiveness/Restoration Ministry: Moral and/or ethical failure in the life of a minister, a key church
leader, or a member of their family has a great impact upon the total life of a church and its witness. A
good biblical model for a restoration ministry in these types of crisis is essential. Our office provides
counsel and resources in these areas.
Ministers’ Wives
Mary Cox, State Missionary
http://gbmw.org
Ministers’ wives are special women with a great calling to be the helpmate in ministry to their husbands
and to also use their spiritual giftedness in ministry. We provide ministries that encourage, refresh and
renew in the areas of physical, spiritual and emotional health. There are two events that are held every
year to minister to our minister’s wives.
1. Georgia Baptist Convention Annual Meeting Luncheon
The Annual Meeting Luncheon is used to encourage and inspire Georgia Baptist ministers’ wives. The
speakers and worship leaders bring messages that focus on their calling as a Christian woman and
ministers’ wife.
The theme for 2014 was ‘Live out your Legacy’. Our guest speaker was, Mrs. Julie Hadden, (wife of
Mike Hadden, on staff at Mabel White Baptist Church) and our special music was presented by Eden of
Glen Haven Baptist Church. We were blessed to have over 154 in attendance at our luncheon.
2013-2014 Officers
President- Mrs. Carrie Morton
Vice President- Mrs. Sheila Davis
Secretary/Treasurer-Mrs. Chris Westray
2015-2016 Officers
President- Mrs. Julie Paysen
Vice-President- Mrs. Meredith Bennett
Secretary/Treasurer- Mrs. Kristie Quick
2. Georgia Baptist Ministers’ Wives Winter Retreat
The Ministers Wives Winter Retreat is held every January and is a time of resting, relaxation, and
renewing of mind, body, soul and relationships. In 2014, we enjoyed the company of 128 ladies at the
Georgia Baptist Conference Center in Toccoa, GA. Our theme was Live out your Legacy Galatians 6:9.
Our guest speakers were Mrs. Jan Morton, Mrs. Cindy Evers, Mrs. Shelia Davis all Georgia Baptist
ministers’ wives. Mrs. Heather Richardson led the special music. Friday afternoon was a personal time
of rest that included a spa day, breakout sessions and a time of self-care that included health
screenings. Each evening was filled with Worship and encouragement through God’s word.
Staff:
Marcus Merritt, State Missionary
770-936-5260
Robert Anderson, State Missionary
770-936-5279
Marty Youngblood, State Missionary
770-936-5243
Mary Cox, State Missionary
770-936-5253
Laura Simms, State Missionary Support
770-936-5362
Ruth Smith, State Missionary Support
770-936-5362
CHURCH PLANTING MINISTRIES
Butch Butcher, State Missionary
[email protected]
As partners with churches and associations, Church Planting Ministries serves to fulfill the Great
Commission by planting culturally relevant, healthy-kingdom, English speaking, reproducing churches
in Georgia. During the year 2014, we assisted with planting 42 new churches, of which 25 were Anglo
congregations and 17 were African-American congregations.
Our work can be divided into four areas:
I. READINESS: We strive to create an environment for church planting among the entire Georgia
Baptist Convention family of associations, churches, pastors and staff, Convention staff and laity.
It is our task to assist Georgia Baptists to become more aware of the lostness of the
population in Georgia and how planting contextual and culturally relevant churches among
the English speaking population can penetrate that lostness with the Gospel of our Savior,
Jesus Christ.
Readiness includes spiritual preparation, understanding the cultural diversity of our
population, identifying people groups and their receptivity toward the Gospel.
II. ENLISTING: We recruit and enlist associations, churches, pastors and staff, Convention staff, lay
persons and students to participate in a statewide church planting effort and to pray for a church
planting movement in Georgia. We also recruit church planters and church planting partners from
among the “called of God” to serve the Lord in the area of church planting.
It is our task to recruit and enlist individuals and churches and associations to participate in
the ministry and mission of planting contextual and culturally relevant churches among the
English speaking population in Georgia.
Enlistment includes enlisting Georgia Baptist churches and leaders to sponsor and partner
with church planters and new church plants. It also includes identifying and raising-up
leaders who will become involved in church planting as planters, staff members, coaches,
strategists, small group leaders, team members and soul-winners. These leaders may be
vocational, bi-vocational, and/or volunteers. We are looking for missionary-minded servants
who are committed and “called of God” to the church planting arena.
III. EQUIPPING: We offer training and encouragement opportunities and events for Church Planters,
Church Planters’ Wives, Church Planting Staff, Church Planting Lay Leaders, Association Staff,
Sponsoring/Partnering Pastors, and Coaches.
It is our task to equip and encourage church planters and church planting teams, sponsoring
churches, strategists, coaches and other leaders and partners in the church planting effort.
Equipping also includes financial support available through the Cooperative Program
ministry of the Southern Baptist Convention. Financial support is available in the form of
Start-up Funds and Church Planter Assistance.
Equipping and encouraging opportunities and events include:
Church Planter Orientation
Assessment Event
GBC Church Planting School
Conferences
Coaching
IV. MULTIPLICATION: We promote and assist in the establishing of a multiplication and reproduction
vision and strategy among Church Planters and Church Planting Teams, Sponsoring and
Partnering Churches, Associational Missionaries and Staff, Regional State Missionaries,
Convention Staff, and Lay Leaders.
The multiplication and reproduction vision and strategy includes promoting and assisting
churches to be strong, healthy kingdom churches that are reproducing new believers,
disciples, leaders, planters and planting teams for the planting of new churches.
Multiplication includes an intentional and strategic commitment to evangelism and
discipleship/leadership development. It focuses on a strong missions focus recognizing the
more and more diverse and secular orientation of our state population. This focus demands
a Gospel sowing and missionary sending effort in all communities and areas of our state.
The idea is simply to make disciples who make disciples and to plant healthy kingdom
churches that plant healthy kingdom churches.
COLLEGIATE MINISTRIES
Joe Graham, State Missionary
[email protected]
The college and university students of today will be the leaders of, and missionaries from, our
churches within a generation. Collegiate Ministries works to inspire collegians with the principles of
on-going cooperative missions and ministry while allowing their creativity and energy to flow back to the
churches, to Georgia Baptists, and to Southern Baptists. For more information about Georgia Baptist
Collegiate Ministries around the state, please visit our website at http://gabcm.org/
Statewide Collegiate Events focus on Spiritual Renewal, Church Revitalization, and Authentic
Evangelism. Confluence is a statewide collegiate conference for all Georgia Baptist churches and
BCMs. Confluence 2015 will take place September 25-27 at Eagle’s Landing FBC near McDonough.
The theme is “Awaken” and the emphasis will be on spiritual renewal and discipleship. For more
information, go to http://www.confluencega.com/
International Student Events focus on authentic evangelism as we build relationships with
internationals and share with them the Gospel. We provide three statewide events throughout the
school year including a white-water rafting trip, a picnic at Stone Mountain and a ski retreat. These
events provide opportunities for Christian students to build and nurture meaningful relationships with
International students.
Georgia Baptist Collegiate Ministries focus a great deal of energy on Collegiate Missions through
Send Me Now Missions. Every aspect of 5 Smooth Stones is enhanced as these students prepare for
their roles in God’s Mission. In the summer of 2015, Georgia BCMs and partnering churches will send
153 students to serve in missions here in Georgia, across the nation, and around the world. For more
information, go to http://sendmenow.net/
Reducing “lostness” in Georgia is something about which we are all concerned. One of the ways
we measure our success is by the total evangelistic impact of Baptist Collegiate Ministries. During the
2013-2014 academic year, we had 5,972 students involved on an on-going basis statewide in our
ministries. During that year our campus ministers reported 137 collegians who made professions of
faith during BCM worship times. 194 other individuals made professions of faith as a result of BCM
ministry programs, teams, or events. Finally our student summer missionaries reported that 872
individuals made professions of faith during the summer.
There was a total of 1,203 people who professed faith in Christ over the past year as a result of
Georgia Baptists’ investment in Collegiate Ministry. This means for every 5 students involved in our
ministry, one new Christian found faith in Christ. 5 to 1 is an outstanding ratio and Georgia
Baptists can be proud of their campus ministers and students. They work every year to make this ratio
even smaller.
COMMUNICATION SERVICES
Mark Strange, State Missionary
[email protected]
Communication Services is intentionally involved in providing communications support for the 5 Smooth
Stones of Spiritual Renewal, Kingdom Generosity, Church Revitalization, Church Planting, and
Authentic Evangelism.
The ministry’s purpose statement says, “Communication Services ministers as a team called by God to
create and connect through effective communications in support of Georgia Baptists.” It is the vision of
Communication Services to be a primary partner with Georgia Baptists in effectively communicating
their ministries to reach their communities.
Communication Services provides:
 Creation and development of promotional materials for ministry areas
 Production and printing services for ministry areas
 Communication of Georgia Baptist stories and ministry successes
 Public Relations activities & monitoring
 Video production that includes Executive Director emails, success stories, promotional videos,
documentaries and ministry support/reports for annual meeting
 Radio programming through Internet radio at www.gbcradio.net (24 hours a day/7 days a week) and
Life With Purpose Radio at www.lifewithpurposeradio.com on several radio stations in Georgia and
nationally
 Publication of Our Church Plans calendar and the Georgia Baptist Missions and Ministry Guide
 Assistance with crisis communication needs of churches and associations
 Consultations with churches and associations on print and audio-visual needs
 Internal audio, presentation and video support for GBC events
CONFERENCES CENTERS
Bill Wheeler, State Missionary
[email protected]
Georgia Baptist Conference Center - Toccoa
The Georgia Baptist Conference Center in Toccoa serves associations and churches by providing a
retreat facility where people can “seek Jesus.” Toccoa offers a serene mountain and lake setting where
both the body and soul can be nourished and renewed. Comfortable accommodations, delicious
meals, ample meeting facilities, and the natural beauty of God’s creation at Toccoa combine to create a
tranquil atmosphere for fellowship, relaxation and spiritual renewal and growth. We were blessed to be
able to serve more than 19,000 guests in 2014.
The center includes 240 guest rooms, 1000-seat auditorium, 300-seat chapel, 42 meeting rooms, the
Higher Grounds Coffee Shop, the Service Station Snack and Gift Shop and the Lakeside Dining Room
with southern cooking at its finest.
5 Stone Personal Retreat
Call us to book your personal, complementary, 2 day, 1 night Spiritual Renewal retreat in Toccoa. Let
us assist you as you seek how God wants to use Spiritual Renewal, Kingdom Generosity, Church
Revitalization, Church Planting, and Authentic Evangelism to support the vision of your association or
church.
The conference center assists churches by:
 Providing a place for Pastors to develop and equip a cohesive staff
 Providing environments to encourage relaxation, reflection and spiritual renewal
 Enabling Churches to fulfill their Mission by providing a place of retreat for:
o Pastors and Families, Youth and Children Camps,
o Deacon and Church Leadership, Senior adults
o Men’s and Women’s Groups, Couples Renewal Weekends
o Choir, Band or Orchestra Events
o Senior Adult Retreats
 Offering hands on volunteer mission projects for churches
 Encouraging personal renewal, relaxation, and rejoicing in the Lord.
The existence of this life-changing ministry can only continue with special care and devoted support.
Prayer, Cooperative Program gifts, and State Missions Offerings are vital for Georgia Baptists to
continue to see lives refreshed and God’s Kingdom increased as people are saved at this beautiful
retreat center retreats. The Conference Center underwrites daily operating expenses through fees
charged; however, capital improvements and facility development can only happen through the support
of Georgia Baptists.
Toccoa: contact Bill Wheeler 706-886-3133
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Web: www.MyToccoa.com
Facebook: Georgia Baptist Conference Center – Toccoa
Twitter: gbcc_toccoa
Email: [email protected]
Georgia Baptist Conference Center – Norman Park
The Georgia Baptist Conference Center in Norman Park serves associations and churches by providing
a retreat facility where people can “seek Jesus.” Norman Park offers an antebellum atmosphere where
both the body and soul can be nourished and renewed. Comfortable accommodations, delicious
meals, ample meeting facilities, and the natural beauty of God’s creation at Norman Park combine to
create a tranquil atmosphere for fellowship, relaxation and spiritual renewal and growth. We were
blessed to be able to serve more than 8,000 guests in 2014.
The center includes 200 guest rooms, 800-seat auditorium, multiple 200-seat chapels, 39 meeting
rooms, a full-size indoor gymnasium, a 13-foot deep swimming pool, a snack shop, and our large dining
hall with southern cooking at its finest.
5 Stone Personal Retreat
Call us to book your personal, complementary, 2 day, 1 night Spiritual Renewal retreat in Norman Park.
Let us assist you as you seek how God wants to use Spiritual Renewal, Kingdom Generosity, Church
Revitalization, Church Planting, and Authentic Evangelism to support the vision of your association or
church.
The conference center assists churches by:
 Providing a place for Pastors to develop and equip a cohesive staff
 Providing environments to encourage relaxation, reflection and spiritual renewal
 Enabling Churches to fulfill their Mission by providing a place of retreat for:
o Pastors and Families, Youth and Children Camps,
o Deacon and Church Leadership, Senior adults
o Men’s and Women’s Groups, Couples Renewal Weekends
o Choir, Band or Orchestra Events
o Senior Adult Retreats
 Offering hands on volunteer mission projects for churches
 Encouraging personal renewal, relaxation, and rejoicing in the Lord.
The existence of this life-changing ministry can only continue with special care and devoted support.
Prayer, Cooperative Program gifts, and State Missions Offerings are vital for Georgia Baptists to
continue to see lives refreshed and God’s Kingdom increased as people are saved at this beautiful
retreat center retreats. The Conference Center underwrites daily operating expenses through fees
charged; however, capital improvements and facility development can only happen through the support
of Georgia Baptists.
Norman Park: contact David Denis, 229-769-3011
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Web: www.MyNorman Park.com
Facebook: Georgia Baptist Conference Center – Norman Park
Email: [email protected]
COOPERATIVE PROGRAM/STEWARDSHIP
Buck Burch, State Missionary
[email protected]
The Cooperative Program, Stewardship and Mission Georgia Development Office has as its purpose
“to enlist and partner with churches to effectively meet their needs in educating, assisting and
encouraging them to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus by developing biblical stewards and missions
support.” The Cooperative Program allows the member churches of the Georgia Baptist Convention to
extend their witness for Jesus Christ throughout our state, nation, and around the world. That witness
takes place as Georgia Baptists join with Southern Baptists to reach a lost world through a variety of
ministries at home and abroad, which include church strengthening ministries such as Sunday School,
discipleship, college and theological education, and numerous other avenues of Christian witness and
ministry.
As Cooperative Program produces natural relationships among individuals, churches, associations, and
the varied regions throughout Georgia, this past year has brought about several exciting connection
points:
 Cooperative Program Speaker Requests- On the Annual Church Profile from the previous
year, 373 churches in Georgia requested a Georgia Baptist Missionary to come share a sermon
from
God’s Word and a missions update about how Cooperative Program funds are being used to
reach the world for Christ.
 Bridges to Missions- In March and May of 2014, there were Bridges to Missions Celebrations
designed to draw attention to prayer for spiritual renewal, a renewed commitment to generosity,
and our unity in giving through the Cooperative Program. In total 118 Georgia Baptist churches
representing about 45,000 members from Korean Baptist churches in the metro Atlanta area
and from the churches of the Southside Baptist Network south of Atlanta participated in the
weekend banquet and Sunday missionary speaker. There were many salvations reported and
several commitments to full-time missions.
 CP Newsletter- A periodical email newsletter informed Georgia Baptist constituents of the latest
promotional materials available for CP and encourage ongoing Cooperative Program support.
642 churches and individuals are subscribed to the newsletter. Free online subscription sign up
is at: www.gabaptist.org/cp-news
 CP Sunday 2014- April 13, 2014, was designated CP Sunday by the Southern Baptist
Convention as a national emphasis on our cooperative missions support through the
Cooperative Program. A significant increase in the number of Georgia Baptist churches ordering
bulletin inserts and video downloads for CP Sunday was observed as our office promoted this
emphasis.
 Mission Georgia Emphasis 2014- September 2014 was set aside as a month of prayer and
offering for missions in Georgia through the Georgia Baptist Convention to reduce lostness. The
theme for 2014 was “Changed Lives.” There were 1,374 separate orders for materials totaling
129,117 prayer guides in English and Spanish, 4,572 posters, 153,904 offering envelopes and
821 DVDs. Speakers were supplied for 119 churches making request. The total offering was
$1,439,249, an increase of 4.65% over the last year.
The Cooperative Program begins in the hearts of individual believers who are committed to reaching
the world for Christ. As they give through their local church, the church then determines what portion of
its receipts will be channeled through the Cooperative Program. These funds are sent to the State
Convention, where they are divided between Georgia Baptist Convention and Southern Baptist
Convention causes. Georgia Baptists continue to be one of the leading conventions in both percentage
and total dollar giving through the Cooperative Program.
Stewardship Leadership Ministries
Scott M. Preissler, State Missionary
Stewardship Leadership Ministries provides a specific portfolio of services to Georgia churches. These
services are both educational equipping and leadership support services. These equipping and
leadership support services are consistently updated to remain always current. These always current
resources and guided services, directly respond to Georgia pastors and stewardship leaders who we
understand and who must respond for, react to, and lead-out ministry in local Georgia churches.
The results, are annually assessed and monitored delivery of “stewardship helps” for Georgia
pastors. Since research almost annually shows that the local church pastor is not seminary-educated
nor equipped for typical church steward leadership duties, GBC Stewardship Ministries mobilizes
dependable help pastors can count on, with tactical and low-cost- if not free resources. Guidance and
counsel are at the ready to share varieties of inspiration models with the most current tools – easily
adaptable from church to church.
Much planning and intervention has been made in 2013 & fully through 2014 to assure that the best
resources and stewardship creativity in the nation are typical for Georgia leaders. A strategic
partnership was confirmed with the following top shelf leadership partners as helps stemming from
Georgia Stewardship Leadership Ministries for our pastors. These partnerships are unique to and
exclusively available now to Georgia churches:
The Kingdom Generosity Collection - the largest experiential education collection and expression
of historic and current Christian and Baptist biblical giving artifacts, resources, and artistic
models. This collection provides over 10,000 square feet of self-education paced information to
shore up Smooth Stone #2’s statement of GBC’s 5 Smooth Stone Mission: Kingdom
Generosity. A vast array of art, artifacts, and the largest library on this subject tracks back
usable knowledge for our current time from the past 700 year to 1,900 years. The Collection is
being set up now throughout the entirety of the Georgia Baptist Missions and Ministry Center
designed for pre-arranged, visiting guests with a visible, tangible resource right here at the
Duluth Missions and Ministry Center.
SDA: Stewardship Development Association – released a new combination video and materials
resource entitled TouchStones. This current audio visual and in print resource is the 8th new
resource in the same number of years available in sample sets free to Georgia pastors. The full
product line is now available on line through the GBC E-Store online at the
www.gabaptist.org website tab under Stewardship Ministries.
All Georgia Baptist churches are highly encouraged to maintain a fresh and inspirational
stewardship emphasis year-round. A now vast array of materials is readily available in sample
packet form to send out, or completely viewable on-line. As always, personal counsel for ideas,
models, and resources is at the ready to be called on for customized service. Should a
personal visit or seminar, or anything A to Z be requested in an on-site format, our team stands
ready to engage all requests and lead-out a complete portfolio of services for any Georgia
Baptist church. We invite you to call us at 770.455.0404 (800-RING-GBC), ext. 349, or peruse
our resources at www.gabaptist.org.
Cooperative Program Advancement & Endowment Ministries
John C. Bryan, State Missionary
Because we are called to be stewards and wise managers of what we have been entrusted, we must
demonstrate this by giving back to God and to sharing the Gospel around the world. By doing so, we
can assure future generations that we care enough about missions to provide for the present needs
and are willing to meet the mission needs of the future. A continuance of sharing the Gospel of Jesus
Christ through on-going funding is the goal and challenge presented to all who participate in this
ministry.
The Cooperative Program Endowment Missions Fund has been established to ensure present and
future generations that our witness for Christ will not fade. This effort is directly related with our 5
Smooth Stones emphasis through Kingdom Generosity. We can make a difference now and until Jesus
comes. Individuals, families, churches, associations and corporations can all participate in leaving a
spiritual and financial legacy. The following are just a few ways in which this can be accomplished:
• Estate planning
• Trusts
• Wills
• Charitable gifts and bequests
Although many worthy charitable opportunities are available for consideration, the Cooperative
Program Endowment Fund (CP Fund) offers the assurance that nothing will be wasted and everything
will go to advance God's work through Southern Baptist ministries. Simply put, it is a one-stop method
of giving with a guarantee of integrity for the present and into the future.
Individuals may participate through cash gifts or through placing the CP Fund in their will. Churches are
also encouraged to participate through a joint venture between this ministry and the Georgia Baptist
Convention. This unique approach, called Legacy For Life, allows a church to receive counsel and
opportunity for all of its church membership to participate in an estate planning event benefiting the
members, the church, and the Cooperative Program. Last year our ministry department serviced 314
churches and/or associations through conferences, estate planning or training events. Over 5,200
individuals heard the message of leaving a legacy gift through the CP Fund with many responding
through our estate planning services. For more information about CP Advancement:
http://cp.gabaptist.org.
DISCIPLESHIP & SPIRITUAL RENEWAL MINISTRIES
D. Alan Folsom, State Missionary
[email protected]
Discipleship and Spiritual Renewal Ministries will assist in making, equipping and renewing individuals
by partnering with families, churches and associations to develop growing disciples of Christ. Our vision
is to ignite a passion for making disciples that leads to spiritual renewal resulting in seeking,
surrendering, sharing and serving Christ.
Below is a sampling of how the churches in Georgia partnered with Discipleship Ministries in 2014:
Bible Drill: Maria Brannen, State Missionary. The purpose of Bible Drill is to increase believer’s
knowledge of the Bible, develop skills in effectively handling the Bible, learn how to apply the Bible to
life, and begin developing memory skills. Bible Drill is offered in the following age groups: Children’s
Bible Drill (Grades 3-6), Youth Bible Drill (Grades 7-9), High School Bible Drill (Grades 10-12),
Adult Bible Drill. These Bible Drill events have competitions in the church, association, and regional
level.
o Regional Bible Drills: 7 locations, 376 participants, 63 churches participating representing 50
associations.
o State Bible Drill Competition: 30 participants, 19 churches from 15 associations participating
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Youth Bible Drill Winner: Kyle Brannen, First Baptist Church, Monroe
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High School Bible Drill Winner: Jacob McDonald, Tabernacle Baptist, Macon
o Bible Drill Retreat: Mission 1:8, with Jeff Slaughter, October 24-25 at Georgia Baptist
Conference Center, Toccoa.
Student Speakers Competition: SSC is a chance for students in grades 10-12 to become better
communicators and stronger disciples of Christ as they learn to share their convictions.
o State Winner: Tristen Smith, Tunnell Hill First Baptist Church
National Youth & High School Bible Drill & Student Speakers Competition
On June 20, 2014 Georgia hosted National Tournament at the First Baptist Church, Helen GA. Our
State Youth, High School Bible Drill and Student Speakers winners represented Georgia Baptists well.
For more information on Bible Drill and Student Speakers Competition, please contact Maria Brannen,
[email protected]
Senior Adult Leadership Conference; February 10-11, Mabel White Baptist, Macon: 100 Senior Adult
leaders from across the state participated.
One Day Prayer Conference with Claude King, May 13. Over 200 gathered to pray at the Georgia
Baptist Missions and Ministry Center to pray for Spiritual Awakening and Renewal in Georgia.
Georgia Baptist Association of Ministry Assistants (GBAMA): Professional organization for the
ministry assistants in Georgia Baptist churches and associations. Annual Conference, It Ought to be
JOY, was at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center, Toccoa, March 6-8, 2014; 65 participants.
Spiritual Renewal/Prayer – Conferences
RENEW GA with Dr. Richard Blackaby: We hosted two RENEW GA events in 2014 with Dr. Richard
Blackaby of Blackaby Ministries. The theme for RENEW GA is Passionately Praying, Pursuing and
Preparing for Spiritual Renewal and Spiritual Awakening in GA. These events were held at Mountain
Park First Baptist Church and Northside Baptist Church, Tifton
Speechless Prayer Conference was held in October 2014 at the conference center in Toccoa. The
conference leaders were Steve Gaines, Bellevue Church, Cordova, TN.; and Alvin Reid, Southeastern
Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina. Worship leader was Joel Goddard,
Bethlehem Baptist. 55 Participants.
Prayer Ministries exists for the purpose of educating, encouraging, and establishing an emphasis in
prayer that will bring glory to God and draw people to the Savior. Three words that define this ministry
are Seeking, Surrendering, and Sharing. Our ministry is committed to assist God’s people in: Seeking
God through prayer; Surrendering to God’s will through prayer; and Sharing God with a lost world
through prayer.
One Day Prayer Conference with Claude King, May 13. Over 200 gathered to pray at the Georgia
Baptist Missions and Ministry Center to pray for spiritual awakening and renewal in Georgia.
PRAY GA with Executive Director, J. Robert White: Our executive director has made a commitment
to join with pastors across our state for the sole purpose of praying with and for our pastors and other
leaders for spiritual renewal and revival. There were seven locations in 2014: January 15, Gwinnett
Metro Association; March 3, Washington Association; March 5, Georgia Association; May 19, Smyrna
Association; August 19, Columbus Association; August 20, Troup Association; and October 20,
Laurens Association.
Prayer Resources
The ministry of prayer is developing and providing ministry resources to assist Georgia Baptist
churches and associations. The following are a few of the resources that are being used across the
state some are available online or upon request: PrayerWalking Made Simple, by J. Chris Schofield;
Serving in Your Church Prayer Ministry, by Chuck Lawless; Power through Prayer, by E.M. Bounds;
and Come to the Lord’s Table, by Claude King.
Thank you for your willingness to make prayer and spiritual awakening a priority among Georgia
Baptists. Please contact Discipleship & Spiritual Renewal Ministries at [email protected] or 770-9365270 or 1-800-746-4422, ext. 270. Web page: dm.gabaptist.org for more information.
EVANGELISM MINISTRIES
Larry Wynn, Vice President of Evangelism, Church Revitalization, & Leadership
[email protected]
Your Evangelism Ministries team has the vision of seeing every Georgia Baptist church being
intentionally evangelistic. The triple focus thrust that drives our ministry across the state: elevate,
educate and celebrate evangelism. The driving component in our helping churches become intentional
and fruitful in evangelism is our 6E Strategy, a comprehensive strategy that not only fits every church
regardless of size, community or culture, but one that has a proven track record of results in helping
churches increase their baptisms.
A Georgia Baptist Evangelism Conference is held each year. Hundreds of Georgia Baptists have the
opportunity to come together to be encouraged and inspired for the great work of evangelism. Some of
the best preachers, technicians, testimonies and musicians available are scheduled each year to lead
these services. Our Evangelism Conference is called REACH.
In 2014 there were four REACH conferences these were held at:
 First Baptist Church Bremen – Our Reach Beyond preaching conference
 First Baptist Albany – Reach Up preaching conference
 Mayville Baptist Church – Reach Out strategy conference
 Jekyll Island Club – Reach In leadership conference
In 2015, two REACH conferences were scheduled. The preaching conference at Piedmont Church in
Marietta, which was cancelled due to inclement weather, and the strategy conference will be held in the
fall at Eagles Landing Baptist in McDonough. Conference schedules and details are always posted at
www.GBCEvangelismConferences.com.
RESOURCES
Top Ten Tour
Each year we identify the top 10 baptizing churches in 5 size categories and publish that list at
GBCTopBaptizing.com. From that list, we select from that pastors to make “tour stops” around the
state in various local associations. Small events are organized so that they can share with other
pastors what’s working for their church right now in reaching more with the Gospel. These small events
have proven very effective.
Evangelism Blog
Our main information and content portal online. Located at EvangelismGA.com.
Evangelism Podcast
Interviews, training and more. Available on iTunes.
Mobile App
Available on Android or iPhone. Search the App Store for ‘GBC Evangelism Ministries.’
Online Revival Planning Guide
Full online training, including prep, promotion, follow-up and more. Go to RevivalPrep.com.
Where to Start?
Download a free gift and get on our mailing list at EvangelismGA.com/freegift.
SUPPORT SERVICES
Judy Hinesley, State Missionary
[email protected]
Support Services partners with state missions staff and related ministries to provide a pleasant and
safe working environment. The department is responsible for the oversight of the Missions and Ministry
Center (MMC). The MMC houses the state missions staff as well as office space for the Georgia Baptist
Foundation, Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation and The Christian Index.
Support Services schedules and coordinates meetings and conferences, and oversees operations of
the switchboard, reception area, building security, mail services, shipping and receiving, Convention
vehicles, and food services. In addition to daily operations, this ministry area is responsible for
registration at the Georgia Baptist Convention’s annual meeting.
Support Services also has the privilege to lead tours of this beautiful building that God has blessed us
with. We share how the architecture, the inspirational murals and paintings, along with the ministry work
within and without point to Him and glorify who He is and what He has done. These tours give a
wonderful opportunity to share about the importance of the Cooperative Program and how much more
can be accomplished for Kingdom purposes through working together.
TENT MINISTRY
The three tents owned by the Convention are actively being used for evangelistic purposes all over
Georgia. In 2014, 36 events were held under the dome of these tents including revival crusades,
Vacation Bible Schools, children’s camps, community outreach, church anniversary celebrations, wild
game dinners, groundbreakings, Gospel singings, mother/daughter banquets, back-to-school outreach,
BBQ dinners, sportsman’s dinners, fall festivals, Judgment House, and Fair Expo outreach. From the
reports we received in 2014, the attendance totaled 13,810. Add to that figure the thousands of
fairgoers who came through the tent and received Gospel tracts at the Sunbelt Agriculture Expo. The
Word of God preached, the Gospel shared, the music sung, and the testimonies shared under these
tents resulted in 516 salvations, 305 rededications and 24 baptisms. To God be the glory for the way
He uses a piece of canvas stretched over poles to draw people to Him and to a saving knowledge of
Jesus Christ! Visit www.tents.gabaptist.org for details on leasing the tent.
INTERCULTURAL CHUCH PLANTING & MISSIONS MINISTRIES
Jerry Baker, State Missionary
[email protected]
Intercultural Church Planting & Missions Ministries relates to churches and associations working cross
culturally with people of other languages, cultures and nations. Reports included below reflect the
varied work done by state missionaries who are a part of this office. It also serves to support Georgia
Baptist Convention statewide initiatives of 5 Smooth Stones, most specifically in Church Planting and
Authentic Evangelism.
Jerry Baker – State Missionary
Carlene Cooper – State Missionary Support
Luz Ayala – State Missionary Support
Diana Brown – State Missionary, Part-time, Baptist Mobile Health Ministry
Paulette Dehart – State Missionary, Literacy Missions
Moses Valdes – State Missionary, Hispanics – North Georgia
Dennis Rivera – State Missionary, Hispanics – South Georgia
An Van Pham – State Missionary, Asians
Yong Nam Suh – State Missionary, Part-time, Korean
http://gabaptist.org/intercultural-church-planting-and-missions-ministries/
New Works: There were 12 new church starts reported in 2014. Arabic, Korean, Hispanic, Vietnamese
CONFERENCES AND TRAINING MEETINGS DURING THE YEAR INLUDED:
Intercultural Leadership Conference
The annual Intercultural Leadership Conference was held twice in 2014 – one was a “mini- conference”
at the Georgia Baptist Missions & Ministries Conference on March 28 – 29, 2014. The second
conference was held at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center in Toccoa March 31 – April 2, 2014.
Asian Bridges
The 2014 Ethnic Bridges weekend focused an Asian Churches in Greater Atlanta. There were 167
Korean pastors, wives and leaders.
 Contextualized Leadership Development (CLD)
 International Youth Camp
 Spanish Youth Camps
 Basic Training and Partners in Church Planting:
 Asian Pastors and Wives Retreats
 South Georgia Hispanic Church Growth and Missions Conference
 South Georgia Hispanic Multiplying Church Networks
 Bible Institutes in Spanish in Savannah and Hinesville
 Basic Training Journey for Hispanic Church Planters
 Literacy Missions Workshops and Annual Literacy Missions Conference
 Georgia Baptist Conference of the Deaf
 Interpreter Training Program (Deaf)
Baptist Mobile Health Ministry http://gabaptist.org/baptist-mobile-health-ministry/
MEN’S MINISTRIES
Glen McCall, State Missionary
[email protected]
In 2014 developing men, young men and boys in our churches was a desire of nearly every church in
Georgia. We partner with you to accomplish that task, striving to involve them in missions through
education, personal involvement and to assist with the fulfillment of the Great Commission in churches
and associations. Reaching men will help the church grow like no other effort. When a father is the
first in a family to receive Christ, nearly 93% of the time his whole family will follow. Reaching men
should be our highest priority because of the far reaching effects that has on the family and the church.
Men’s Ministries Survey of Churches Shows Excellent Progress in 2014:
Nearly 80% of our churches have some form of Men’s Ministries including Bible Study – 63%, Prayer
Breakfasts – 43%, Handyman Ministry – 31%, Affinity Groups - 20%, Wild Game Dinners – 20%, and
almost 13% are engaged in Men’s on Mission. The survey also revealed that the top 3 greatest needs
regarding ministry to men in the church are discipleship and spiritual growth – 49%, strengthening
relationships with other men – 37%, and leadership training – 35%. Men’s Ministries of the GBC stands
ready to assist in all of these areas and more.
5 Smooth Stones Impact in 2014: Spiritual Renewal, Church Revitalization, Authentic Evangelism,
Church Planting, and Kingdom Generosity are key elements of Men’s Ministries both directly and
indirectly. Here’s how Men’s Ministries relates to the 5 Smooth Stones priorities of the Convention:
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Spiritual Renewal – in 2014 through church, associational, and statewide men’s retreats,
conferences, rallies, Church Renewal Journey weekends, and year round and summer camp
events at Camp Kaleo, Men’s Ministries
Church Revitalization –through training sessions that equip men in holding up the hands of the
pastor and helping him further the vision God provides for the church as men and their families
become fully engaged in the life and ministry of the church. The North and South Georgia Men’s
Training Conferences, “Building a Strong Ministries with Men, Young Men and Boys” trains men
as leaders, helping them to realize that men are created and called by God to lead and
strengthen the local church.
Church Planting – is highlighted in associations and churches through On Mission Connections
as many of the IMB and NAMB missionaries who speak at OMC’s serve in Church Planting
roles. Four associations hosted OMC’s introducing churches to the ministries of State, NAMB,
and IMB missionaries.
Authentic Evangelism – through Interest Events for Outreach and Evangelism and training on
the principle that men must seek their place in God’s ministry of reconciliation, and through alter
calls at our conferences, Men’s Ministries seeks to bring men to Christ.
Kingdom Generosity – Men’s Ministries addresses this element through teaching on tithing and
missions education (Baptist Men, Challengers, and Royal Ambassadors) promoting the
Cooperative Program, State Missions, Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, Lottie Moon Christmas
Offering, and a general stewardship of men as on-mission Christians.
Resources for Your Men and Boys: Men’s Ministries can help you with Men’s Missions and Spiritual
Development, Church Lay Renewal, Legacy Builders Retreats, On Mission Celebrations, Camp Kaleo
Retreats, Royal Ambassadors & Challengers Programs including – Summer Camp, Camporee, Racer
Derby, Campout Congress and State Track Meet. Men’s Ministries assists Pastors and
Men’s/Brotherhood Leaders to establish a well-developed ministry by providing:
 Men’s Ministries Handbook – with ideas and strategy for Pastors and Men’s/Brotherhood
Leaders to develop men’s groups. From a biblical foundation it suggests plans to organize a
men’s group to include five key elements – Intercessory Prayer, Missions Education, Missions
Action, Spiritual Development and Men’s Interest Events, with an organizational chart. Printed
copies are available upon request and the Handbook is available on-line at mens.gabaptist.org.
 Retreats – We partner with churches and associations to plan men’s retreats, such as Legacy
Builders; or recommend other options and resources (such as “Men’s Fraternity,” “Seven
Seasons of a Man’s Life,” and “Men Leading the Charge,”) with suggested speakers and
leaders.
 Conferences – See the calendar for scheduled Statewide and Regional Men’s Conferences at
locations around the state. These conferences offer training and information, as well as
inspiration for men.
Leadership for men is not an option. Please contact Men’s Ministries to assist you in developing your
men for the work of Christ through your church. All events and materials are available at
www.mens.gabaptist.org or call us at 1-800-746-4422 ext. 256.
RA’s, Challengers and Camp Kaleo
Mike Flowers, State Missionary Consultant & Director Camp Kaleo
www.campkaleo.org
www.ga-ra.org
2014 was another great year in the life of RA’s, Challengers, and Camp Kaleo. The next generation of
ministers, missionaries and lay leaders are being developed through these ministries. Young men and
boys are taught to be well-informed responsible followers of Christ, to have a Christ-like concern for all
people, to carry the message of Christ around the world, to work with others in sharing Christ, and to
keep themselves clean and healthy in mind and body. Scripture study and memory are paramount and
include the study of SBC missionaries and their work in countries around the world. No greater
preparation for mission awareness and mission action exists
Camp Kaleo had a total of 4682 from Jan - Dec 2014.
 Racer Derby – 500 in attendance; the culmination of the church, associational, and regional
winners and those cheering them on.
 Camporee – Considering the rain and Easter weekend we had 246 in attendance. Stacy Dyer
was our speaker and we had a great time in worship. Special mission skills and camp craft
activities make for a day of fun and competition.
 Fisharama – We had 42 in attendance. The men and boys had a great time in spite of the rain.
They heard from Go Fish and Extreme Outdoor Christian Ministries and the wonderful message
of Jesus was shared.
 Hubbard Middle School Day – Over 300 middle schoolers from Monroe County joined us for a
fun day at Kaleo. This is the 4th year we’ve held this event.
 Summer Camp – 1493 in attendance; RA’s and Challengers, Church groups, and Day campers
enjoyed their choice of nine weeks of Summer Camp. All churches are welcome to enjoy Camp
Kaleo’s 318 acres of uniquely blended wilderness, yet modern setting for missions learning and
adventure activities. 72 received Christ and 19 made recommitments of their lives to Christ.
 Congress – 188 in attendance; boys show their skills at Bible memory and knowledge as well
as missions awareness through competitions and exhibits.
 Church Groups Welcome – Church group attendance (excluding numbers May-August)
totaled 1913. Please consider joining us next year. You’ll have a great time.
Special Resources for Your Convenience and Enjoyment:
 Young Men and Boys Handbook – Printed copies are available upon request. It is also
available on-line at mens.gabaptist.org. This is great tool.
 Calendar of Events – Young men & boy’s events are a part of the Men’s Ministries calendar
sent to all churches. It lists all events coordinated by Men’s Ministries for the RA and
Challengers Missions Education program. Make plans to attend our State RA events in
2014. Go to www.ga-ra.org for more details.
 Camps – We offer Summer Camp programs to boys and young men at Camp Kaleo in Forsyth,
GA, as well as, a co-ed Children’s Day Camp Program for the local Forsyth community and
county. Churches may use the camp year round. Register now for next year’s camps or plan
your own with us.
 Leadership – We train and develop men to serve as church and association RA/Challengers
Leaders and also train RA Leaders to become Regional RA/Challengers Advisors throughout
the state. See our websites for RA education and information (www.campkaleo.org), as well as
the NAMB resource tools (www.namb.net) where Missions Education materials are available.
Training is also scheduled each January in South Georgia and each September in North
Georgia.
MUSIC AND WORSHIP MINISTRIES
Jon Duncan, State Missionary
[email protected]
The purpose of Music and Worship Ministries is to strengthen, enhance, and encourage the praise and
proclamation ministries of local churches. It is our desire to equip God’s people in discovering biblical
worship, which transforms lives. Such worship always leads to powerful ministry engagement. Music
and Worship Ministries is also committed to the proclamation ministry of the church. The biblical
mandate for choral and instrumental ministry also includes the proclamation of the Word (1 Chronicles
25.1-7). The music of the church not only inspires God’s people—it teaches the Word of God. The
music of the church allows the worshiper to grasp and internalize doctrinal truths from Scripture. It also
provides a means and vehicle for expressing a unified confession of who we are as God’s people and
the message we are responsible to carry out to the nations. The Music and Worship Ministries
Department is focused on worship and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. Directly tied to
“Revitalization,” your Music and Worship ministry is a key component of all 5 Smooth Stones.
Our two state choral groups include The Sons of Jubal and the Jubalheirs. The Sons of Jubal is a male
chorus comprised of ministers of music and music leaders serving in local Baptist churches. This group
has witnessed outstanding growth. In 2014 the group grew to more than 300 men, with an average of
nearly 200 singing to capacity crowds throughout the state. The Sons of Jubal sing to well over 10,000
people each year. Plans are underway for a mission endeavor to Israel in 2015 that will include 150
Jubals and at least 100 pastors and lay leaders. We will present concerts at major halls and churches
in Israel and the West Bank.
The Jubalheirs is a choir composed of women who serve in various capacities in local church ministry.
This group has continued to grow in numbers and effectiveness. The 300+ voice choir has presented
concerts in a variety of settings. Like the Sons of Jubal, the Jubalheirs’ purpose is all about mission
advancement. In 2014 the ladies engaged in a dramatic mission project for the Columbus Baptist
Association. They ministered through block parties, medical and dental missions, food and clothing
distribution, toy collection for needy children, church renovation projects, rehab center renovations, and
even painting the association office. They also presented concerts in churches and at Fort Benning.
Seven adults were saved during the weekend and countless presentations of the Gospel took place.
The ladies also provide scholarships for music camp participants helping many who, due to cost
factors, would be otherwise unable to attend. Like the men’s group, the ladies have several recordings
available to minister to the lives of people. In 2014, the ladies also produced a new recording to
minister and provide support for their mission projects.
Whether at a local church, a retirement center, prison, or mission point across the ocean, these ministry
organizations are committed to the cause of Christ. The Jubals represent one of the strongest
ministries of its kind in Southern Baptist life.
In addition to these outstanding praise and proclamation ministries, we are thrilled with the resurgence
of music camps. Surge 150 is drawing students from across the state. All three music camps are
healthy and God is blessing the efforts with decisions that honor Christ. When you invest in your
children and youth, you are investing in your future. Healthy music and worship in the local church
requires such an investment. Nearly 400 students and faculty members make the music camps a major
success story of GBC life. This year was especially significant as we provided Georgia Baptist All-State.
The group of over 100 select high school students presented concerts throughout Baltimore and
Washington D. C.
Our music festivals continue to be effective and showing great growth. We witnessed excellent
attendance at the Handbell festival which combined youth and adult. The two festivals in one location
held at Central Baptist Church in Warner Robins drew over 300 participants. Our Youth Choir Festival
(REEL Fest) continues to draw strong numbers. The 2014 REEL Fest held at Zion Baptist in Covington
drew over 600 students and sponsors.
Worship renewal conferences are taking place throughout the state in churches and associations. As
God’s people gain understanding in biblical worship, the level and depth of participation is equally
affected. Local church training, Priority of Worship Conferences, and Associational worship training are
events that draw excellent participation throughout the state. A prominent part of our work focuses
attention to smaller attendance churches. Most of these projects are in cooperation with local
associations. In this arena of ministry we are seeing first-hand the connection of Music and Worship
Ministries in harmony with the 5 Smooth Stones initiative. As churches seek to “revitalize” and move to
the deep water of “spiritual renewal,” we stand ready to resource and encourage leaders.
In its twelfth year, Church Music Georgia experienced outstanding participation. Nearly 600 attended
the event that offered more than 100 class options over the three day event held at Johnson Ferry
Baptist Church. The event included a one-day choir retreat which drew over 200 participants. This is a
vital training event for church musicians. Leaders from across the state come to receive training and
inspiration for their local ministries. One of the highlights included a special presentation by the AllState Youth Choir and Orchestra during the Friday evening worship time.
Another area of growth is in the area of personal consultation. Your state missionaries are constantly
going to churches throughout Georgia to provide personal help. As specialist, I have worked with
dozens of churches dealing with search committee training, conflict mediation, tutoring other worship
leaders, and providing encouragement to hurting ministers. A week seldom passes in which we aren’t
contacted by ministers of Christ needing some form of personal help. This aspect of ministry continues
to grow as we continue to build trust through relationships and competency. We are noticing a major
“spike” in this work due to the economic environment of many of our churches. We offer what time is
possible and place individuals at the forefront of attention. This focus of service continues to be a major
source of time commitment when coupled with the 30+ training events, 20 concerts, 3 music camps,
and multiple requests to fulfill other convention requests. It is a blessing to be at the crossroads of
ministry for those called to serve.
Although we are thrilled with the growth and success of these ministries, the real rejoicing relates to the
churches that are strengthened in their ministries. These training opportunities and inspirational events
are designed with the church in mind. Of course, we couldn’t provide anything without the incredible
support of the churches. It is a joy to serve such wonderful people known as Georgia Baptists!
To contact Music and Worship Ministries, please call 1-800-RINGGBC (800-746-4422), 770-936-5265
or email [email protected].
REGIONAL STATE MISSIONARIES
(See Bobby Boswell, Assistant Executive Director)
RESEARCH SERVICES
Tom Crites, State Missionary
[email protected]
Research Services exists to exalt Christ by encouraging cooperative missions, equipping convention
ministries, and empowering local congregations to become healthier, mission-minded churches by
providing relevant, timely, and accurate information.
Research Services provides and interprets customized reports for churches, associations, and GBC
staff strategy planning and decision-making. In 2014, we had the privilege of completing 792 Mission
Field Reports – demographics and localized trends relevant to each church and association assisted.
We also provided 325 church and associational statistical reports, 404 surveys and other specifically
tailored reports. We were excited to be able to provide 313 pastors with prospect lists of people living in
their communities. This represents 1,834 total reports provided to nearly one thousand churches and
associations for the purpose of reaching the people of Georgia for Jesus.
We also collect and analyze the Annual Church Report allowing GBC pastors the opportunity to
understand what God is doing around the state.
Looking ahead, Research Services is developing new resources offering ministry focused
neighborhood studies. These studies will be available to every Georgia Baptist church and Georgia
Association through local and personal access to an online system. We are excited about what pastors
and missionaries will learn through the new system.
Please feel free to contact your Research Services Team by calling 1-800-RING GBC or emailing us at
[email protected].
SUNDAY SCHOOL/SMALL GROUP MINISTRIES
Tim S. Smith, State Missionary
[email protected]
Mission Georgia is about REDUCING LOSTNESS in Georgia and the world! As Georgia Baptist we
should have the desire to accomplish the Great Commission of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! The
Sunday School/Small Group Ministries’ (SS/SGM) state missionaries believe that Sunday School
classes and small groups are a great way to impact the lostness and make disciples in Georgia. If we
are going to accomplish the goals reducing lostness and making disciples, it’s going to take YOU,
YOUR CLASS/GROUP and YOUR CHURCH!
What can YOU do?
 The first challenge is for every member to read the Bible every day. Nothing produces
SPIRITUAL RENEWAL like the discipline of daily Bible reading.
 The second challenge is for every Christian is to share their faith every week. In order to reach
the lost we’ve got to begin having conversations with them about Jesus. AUTHENTIC
EVANGELISM occurs when Christians share the Gospel with the lost.
What can YOUR CLASS/GROUP do?
 The third challenge is for every class/group to conduct a fellowship activity every month for the
purpose of fostering genuine friendships. Groups that are effective at reaching and teaching are
also connecting with members and non-members. CHURCH REVITALIZATION takes place
when people are loved and are expressing love to others.
 The forth challenge is for every class/group to do some type of mission project every quarter.
Nothing expresses KINGDOM GENEROSITY more than giving of our time and our resources to
meet the needs of others; whether it is locally or globally.
What can YOUR CHURCH do?
 The fifth challenge is for every church to start at least one new class/group every year. Every
new class/group results in three people coming to faith in Jesus! The incubator for CHURCH
PLANTING is starting new classes/groups.
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The sixth and final challenge is for every church to provide training for all their Sunday
School/Small Group leaders. The number one factor in determining the health and growth of a
church is whether it provides training for its leaders.
The state missionaries of SS/SGM are ready to assist you, your class/group and your church to
accomplish the goals of reducing lostness and making disciples. The team has resources and
conferences, as well as personal consultations, to assist you in daily Bible reading, training members to
share their faith, connecting with members, planning mission projects, starting new classes/groups and
training present and potential teachers/leaders.
The state missionaries of SS/SGM serve the churches of the Georgia Baptist Convention (GBC) that
have both traditional and innovative approaches to their small group ministry. In 2014 the SS/SGM
state missionaries (Tim S. Smith, Mike Taylor, Jonathan Jordan and Jenni Carter) conducted 444
state/regional/associational/local church training events with a combined attendance of 46,896. They
also conducted 386 individual church consultations with pastors and various church leaders. Through
the FREE Growing Groups On-Line/On-Demand Training 4,290 pastors, ministers, leaders, directors,
teachers and/or members were equipped in various topics to improve their skills to reduce lostness and
make disciples.
The SS/SGM is “Making Disciples through Groups”. The mission is to partner with leaders to share
Christ with the lost, equip people in spiritual growth and reproduce disciples.
The work of SS/SGM is concentrated in four areas.

Sunday School… to equip leaders and inspire churches.

Small Groups… to connect with leaders and develop networks that make disciples.
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Vacation Bible School… to train leaders and emphasize evangelism.

Church Facilities … to evaluate and recommend facilities that promote making disciples.
The goal is for SS/SGM to see measurable increases in the following areas…

Sunday School/Small Group Enrollment

Average Sunday School/Small Group Attendance
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Sunday School/Small Group Leaders/ Multipliers Trained

Baptisms
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Number of Classes/Groups
SS/SGM provides leadership training in local churches, associational, regional, and state events that
give Georgia Baptist churches the tools they need to have a healthy Sunday School/Small Groups.
Below are the plans for the coming year.
 Twelve VBS JumpStarts in January and February.
 Three Taking Your Groups to the Next Level Conferences in February.
 Six Regional VBS Clinics in March.
 Ten Associational Sunday School Training Workshops.
 Eight Growing Groups Conferences in August.
 The Church Facilities EXPO in October.
 Two National Sunday School Director Seminars, March and October.
 Eleven Sunday School mentoring groups in partnership with the local associations.
 Monthly FREE on-demand/on-line training opportunities through Growing Groups OnLine.
SS/SGM is a resource for churches to receive assistance for leader training and growth ideas. Contact
SS/SGM to receive help with:
 Pastors, Ministers of Education, Sunday School Directors and Small Group
Pastors/Coaches
 Adult, Student/Youth, Children’s, Preschool Teachers, Leaders, Classes and Small
Groups
 Outreach and evangelism through Sunday School/Small Groups
 Bible study curriculum and small group literature
 Vacation Bible School
 Multiple Sunday Schools
 Special Education
 Church Facilities and Building Planning
 and much more!!
To contact Sunday School/Small Group Ministries, email:
Tim Smith at [email protected]
Jenni Carter at [email protected]
Jonathan Jordan at [email protected]
Mike Taylor at [email protected]
YOUTH MINISTRIES
Doug Couch, State Missionary
[email protected]
Youth Ministries of the Georgia Baptist Convention serves Christ by strengthening churches in passing
the faith to the next generation. We accomplish that goal by offering strategic youth events, training
events, and strengthening local networks of youth leaders around the state to cooperate toward
reaching the 954,000 students who live in Georgia for Christ.
www.superwow.com.
This summer, over 3,000 students and their leaders attended Superwow. There were two weeks of
Superwow on Jekyll Island and one week in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida.
Again this year, Impact was two camps, in one location, for high school and middle school students.
Both groups met at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center in Toccoa. Over 1,000 students and leaders
attended this one great week of Impact.
This summer we had our seventh summer of MERGE in Toccoa, Georgia. MERGE is a full-fledged
mission camp and there were over 300 in attendance. Students come to know Christ and many
students share Christ with a lost individual for the first time. Students completed service projects that
included construction projects, Vacation Bible Schools, and a variety of ministry initiatives. The most
impressive dynamic of the camp was watching the MERGE students and adults give to the local
community by providing over 9,000 hours of service in one week. MERGE is an example of the power
of cooperation with the State Convention, association, youth groups from around the nation, and the
city of Toccoa working together to bless the community.
The 2014 MOVE Conference was held, for the very first time ever, at the Athens Classic Center in
Athens, Georgia on January 2 – 3, 2015. The goal of MOVE is to expose students to the Gospel of
Jesus Christ and to challenge students who already have a personal relationship with Christ to make a
difference in their families, church, and on their campuses. With a sold out crowd of over 7,000
students and leaders, MOVE raised $16,000+ for the Mission Georgia Offering. This campaign
supports church plants, church revitalization and many other mission projects in Georgia. Over 700
students made decisions of recommitments to Christ, answer a call to ministry, or come to know Christ
as their personal Lord and Savior.
For the 16th year of Conclave, held in Chattanooga, Tennessee on January 23 – 25, 2014, there were
over 600 youth workers from Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and
Louisiana come together for three days of training and worship. This was a cooperative effort between
the state conventions. In addition, there were over 30 seminars taught by the leading youth ministers
from each state.
Youth Ministries also leads the Student Ministry Network. The Network exists to help youth pastors and
workers connect for networking, mentoring, training and extension. There are more than 40
experienced and trained youth ministers, or “coaches,” around the state of Georgia. To find a coach in
your area, please go to http://superwow.com/smn.
Regarding the 5 Smooth Stones, each Youth Ministry event creates an environment of Spiritual
Renewal from the corporate worship to the small group times. Through offerings taken at events and
through service/mission projects, the opportunity for Kingdom Generosity is presented. Church
Revitalization is present at each event to provide leadership development. State-wide training
opportunities are provided through the network of youth ministers. Each event offers affordable
opportunities for church plants to network with other young and small churches across the state. At all
events, training times, or in casual conversation with youth ministers and youth, Authentic Evangelism
permeates Youth Ministries.
Operating costs for Conclave, Impact, Superwow, Merge, and Move are based on conference
registration income. Thank you Georgia Baptists for your continued prayers and support.
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX REPORT
J. Gerald Harris, Editor
The 200th anniversary of The Christian Index is just over the horizon. In 2022 your Baptist state paper
will celebrate its bicentennial anniversary. In order to insure that The Index will continue to be a viable
and influential publication for years to come we are in the process of reinventing The Index to insure its
continuing longevity.
Todd Starnes of FOX news in New York, delivered the Ray Newman Lectures at Truett McConnell
College earlier this year and stated, “The Christian Index is the best Baptist newspaper in the nation.”
Unfortunately, your Baptist state news journal has experienced the same misfortune as most other
printed newspapers – a precipitous decline in subscriptions. That unfortunate reality has also resulted
in a decline in revenue and made The Index more dependent on Cooperative Program resources.
It is virtually inevitable that The Index will have to become an online publication only, because of the
digital age in which we live. We are already beginning the process of migrating in that direction. We will
deliberately be reducing the number of printed copies and hopefully substantially increasing the number
of online readers by offering The Index free of charge.
Our goal has never been to make a profit, but to be good stewards of our resources while getting the
good news of what is happening in Georgia Baptist life to as many of our people as possible. We
believe by significantly cutting the cost of printing and mailing and sharing our personnel resources with
other ministries in our Convention we can reduce our dependence upon the Cooperative Program and
increase our number of readers at the same time.
Georgia Baptists need The Christian Index, because we are a major part of promoting the Cooperative
Program, the lifeline for our Baptist work at home and around the world. In fact, one senior leader at the
International Mission Board recently said, “We need the state papers to survive.”
Furthermore, as we tell the story of what God is doing through our state missionaries and in our
institutions and agencies we also become a vital proponent of Mission Georgia, our state missions
offering.
As we migrate to an expanded and more frequent online presence I can see The
Christian Index becoming more relevant and timely in our coverage of the events and accomplishments
in our churches and among our people.
While we want to make sure that we maintain our high quality of writing we will be more receptive to
well written news stories from free-lance writers who wish to report on churches that are experiencing
successes in the implementation of the 5 Smooth Stones initiated by the leadership of the Convention.
Pastors and church leaders can greatly assist us as we launch out into this new venture of news
reporting by sending us the addresses of all church members and friends who would like to receive a
digital edition of The Christian Index sent to them via email without cost.
We will still appreciate the faithful support of our advertisers. In fact, we already have over 100,000
persons to whom we are sending the online copy of The Index, so the number of viewers has tripled
and advertisers will also have the advantage of having their event or product broadcast over our
Internet radio and our Life With Purpose radio program carried on over 80 stations, most of which are in
Georgia.
For more information about getting The Index online or how to advertise with us please call us at
770.936.5590 or view free at www.christianindex.org
GEORGIA BAPTIST HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Purpose: The purpose of the Georgia Baptist Historical Commission is to support the work of the
Georgia Baptist Convention by illuminating the present with the light of the past.
Vision: We see a day when the Georgia Baptist Historical Commission provides a fully functional
Baptist archive and museum for research and educational purposes.
The Georgia Baptist Historical Commission, established in 1986 to continue the work of the History
Committee of the Georgia Baptist Convention, serves as the caretaker of 250 plus years of Georgia
Baptist history.
Fifteen members of the Historical Commission, commissioned by the Georgia Baptist Convention,
serve Georgia Baptists by:
 Providing assistance to churches and associations in research, writing, and celebrating their
unique histories.
 Collecting, preserving and managing the collection of Georgia Baptist historical records and
artifacts housed at the Georgia Baptist Convention Historical Archive and Museum.
 Collaborating with churches and associations in identifying and memorializing historical sites
that have significance to Georgia Baptists.
The Georgia Baptist Historical Commission carries out its purpose through its working committees:
A. Education and Promotion committee seeks to promote the historical narrative of the Georgia
Baptist Convention, its churches, associations, and leadership. Furthermore, it seeks to promote the
work of the Historical Commission as a tool to be utilized by Georgia Baptists at all levels to understand
the historical foundations of their ministries and enhance/support the Five Smooth Stones emphasis of
the Georgia Baptist Convention.
B. Museum Development and Collections committee facilitates the development, maintenance, and
promotion of the collections assembled at the Georgia Baptist Convention Historical Archive and
Museum. The committee is responsible for recommendations related to funding and budgeting for the
collections, and for overseeing the ongoing operations of the Archive. This committee will encourage
Georgia Baptists and others to contribute historical materials to the Archive collection.
C. Serving Churches and Associations committee actively assists and encourages churches and
associations to carefully record, preserve, and celebrate their history. It is responsible for identifying
historically significant sites and recommending them for approval by the Commission for recognition.
The committee works in cooperation with the Associational Missionary History Team in developing and
implementing a strategy for supporting associations across the state in compiling, recording, and
promoting Georgia Baptist heritage and history.
EDUCATION COMMISSION
J. Robert White
Georgia Baptists are committed to providing higher education in a Christian environment. This
commitment is based on the understanding that Christian education is essential in providing leadership
for our churches, our denomination and our nation. The Education Commission of the Georgia Baptist
Convention has been charged with advising and encouraging our Georgia Baptist colleges in their
mission and commitment to excellence in accomplishing this goal. The Commission is composed of
nine members elected at-large by the Convention and several ex-officio members, including GBC
elected leadership and the Baptist college presidents.
The Education Commission is driven by a desire to:
 Increase Convention awareness of and support for Georgia Baptist colleges
 Encourage the colleges to provide educational experiences designed to help students
grow in grace and knowledge and develop a biblical world-view
 Seek to make Christian higher education accessible to students across the state
 Encourage and support the training of ministers and church leaders
Brewton-Parker College, Shorter University, and Truett-McConnell College continue to be excellent
options for students across Georgia. In addition to the three main campuses, several extension sites
bring quality Christian education close to nearly every person in Georgia.
The Commission assists the colleges in promotion and circulation of information related to each of our
colleges. Education Commission staff and college admissions staff work together to promote our
Baptist colleges at major youth events around the state. Each year at Superwow and other youth
events, information about our schools is shared with hundreds of students. Materials produced by our
colleges and the Education Commission provide excellent information to young people and their
parents.
The Commission also serves the colleges and Georgia Baptists through the administration of
scholarship programs. The Student Achievement Award is given annually to as many as thirty
deserving high school seniors. To be considered, applicants must first be nominated by their pastors or
other church staff in the fall of their senior years. The Ministerial Education Fund is a scholarship for
students preparing for careers in vocational ministry. Over 140 Georgia Baptist ministerial students
received this assistance during the 2013-2014 academic year. The Cooperative Program makes it
possible for GBC to provide this support for future church and denominational leaders.
Additional information about our Georgia Baptist colleges and university, as well as scholarship
information, is available upon request by phone toll-free at 800.746.4422, ext. 240 and in the Atlanta
area at 770.936.5240 or via the GBC website http://ec.gabaptist.org.
WOMAN’S MISSIONARY UNION AND WOMEN’S ENRICHMENT MINISTRY
Beth Ann Williams, Executive Director
[email protected]
The purpose of WMU and Women’s Enrichment Ministry is to encourage and equip Georgia Baptist
churches to fulfill the Great Commission, and more specifically to lead women and girls to engage our
lost world through prayer, ministry, evangelism and Kingdom generosity.
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We assist new and existing churches in creating a tailored mission involvement strategy.
We connect women and churches to local and global mission opportunities.
We lay the foundation essential for children and youth to become tomorrow’s mission leaders.
We offer a customized, comprehensive ministry strategy for women.
We prepare women to lead through personalized consultations, team training, and workshops.
We challenge children, youth and women to a deeper commitment to Christ that leads to a
missional lifestyle.
Ministries that highlight our 5 Smooth Stone priorities include:
Spiritual Renewal
 Approximately 700 women gathered at beautiful Callaway Gardens for the 2014 Spring Event to
hear speaker and author, Jennifer Kennedy Dean, musician Babbie Mason, and a variety of
outstanding conference leaders and missionaries. To learn more visit
www.gabaptistwomenspringevent.com.
 The annual Hispanic Women’s Retreat was held in two locations with 291 participants at
Pinnacle Retreat Center and 128 participants in Adrian. There were 3 salvations.
 Fifteen women’s ministry leaders gathered for three days at Pinnacle Retreat Center to
participate in a retreat designed for networking, fellowship, and spiritual enrichment.
 Our Sisters Who Care Missions Summit attracted 70 African-American women for the purpose
of inspiration and missions challenge.
 Women on Mission sponsored a One in Prayer Retreat at Pinnacle, which drew approximately
100 women. Through the theme, A Burning Ember, and guest speaker, Gordon Fort, IMB,
women were challenged to pray without ceasing.
 One in Prayer is our web-based prayer initiative to equip and encourage a more effective
individual and corporate praying life. For more information visit www.oneinprayer.net.
Kingdom Generosity
 3 in1, our online ordering resource, continues to enable churches to create a standing order that
leads to automatic shipments of materials for the Lottie Moon, Annie Armstrong, and Mission
Georgia (State Missions) offering emphases. Visit www.3in1missions.org.
 The Georgia Missionary Parents Fellowship continues to provide support and encouragement to
parents of missionaries through a fall retreat, a spring meeting and a vibrant prayer network.
 In 2014, staff provided awareness of the Cooperative Program at events and in local churches
and utilized missionary personnel at events to personalize giving through the Cooperative
Program.
Church Revitalization
 Equipping of 1,400 Anglo, African American, Hispanic, Korean, Cambodian, Vietnamese,
Laotian and Moldovan leaders took place through a variety of venues.
 Summer Missions Camp exists to help girls and teens experience God and understand His
desire to reach the nations with the truth of Jesus Christ. Our 2014 missions/culture camp
focused on Israel. Twenty girls accepted Jesus, 6 surrendered to missions, and 3 reaffirmed
their faith in Christ. Visit www.camppinnacle.net to learn more.
 More than 500 boys and girls were encouraged to Be Strong in their relationship to God by
Strong Man, Cameron Bailey at the Children’s Extravaganza. Through missionaries, games
and prayer children learned our greatest strength is salvation in Jesus.
Authentic Evangelism
 Women focused on Project HELP: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and continue to learn how to
minister to those affected by PTSD.
 Fifty Georgia Baptists were mobilized to participate in Lobby Day for domestic child trafficking
victims at the State Capitol.
 In November, 58 young women, ages 18-35, gathered in Macon/Warner Robins for a weekend
of missions serving victims of human trafficking. The project was a partnership among Georgia
WMU&WEM, Out of Darkness Middle Georgia, Rehoboth Baptist Association and Shirley Hills
Baptist Church. They also learned ways to be involved in ongoing missions discipleship through
the church.
 In partnership with churches and associations in Georgia, women participated in Christmas in
Appalachia filling over 20,000 backpacks.
 Women participated in the Hygiene Project: Southeast Asia. Either because of cost or
availability, it is not always easy for women in the developing world to access feminine hygiene
products. We provided reusable feminine hygiene products that were used as a part of an
overall strategy to share the Gospel in Southeast Asia.
 Christian Women’s Job Corps (CWJC) provides a Christian context in which women in need are
introduced to Christ and equipped for life and employment. Currently there are five CWJC sites.
Pinnacle Retreat Center in Clayton, Georgia, is owned and operated by Georgia WMU. This beautiful
multi-purpose conference center, nestled in the northeast Georgia mountains, is an ideal setting for
staff, deacon or church retreats from August through May. June and early July are reserved for our
summer missions camp. Visit www.pinnacleretreatcenter.com.
We are eager to assist churches and associations with personal consultations and customized training.
If we can serve you, please contact us at 770-936-5234 or 1-800-746-4422, extension 324 or visit us at
www.georgiawmu.org.
NORTH AMERICAN MISSION BOARD
4200 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta GA 30022-4174
Kevin Ezell, President
The North American Mission Board (NAMB) is focused on planting more Southern Baptist churches
and discovering and developing new missionaries who will take the Gospel to North America. NAMB
has challenged Southern Baptists to plant 15,000 churches over the next 10 years which will require
new workers who will go to the harvest fields. In order to do this, NAMB will provide student
missionaries a more focused, ministry oriented experience with they serve North America. NAMB will
provide opportunities for those who desire to serve long-term. This will be accomplished through church
planting internships and church planter apprenticeships. Every church that is planted will focus on
reaching new people for Christ and ministering in the community.
NAMB provides assistance to churches through the following:
 Church Planting
In 2013, 936 church plants were reported. NAMB continues to promote and encourage participation in
the Send North America strategy. There are 32 Send Cities and each city has a strategy team. Updated
Send City information is available at namb.net/cities.
 Evangelism and Making Disciples
Through God’s Plans for Sharing initiative 49,000 boxes of Find It Here New Testaments were mailed
to churches to distribute. There are 3,514 chaplains serving around the world.
 Support for Missionaries
NAMB continues to see growth in the missionary Farm System. In 2013, 1,255 student missionaries,
276 church planting interns and 69 church planter apprentices were placed. To facilitate the placement
process, NAMB launched a new online application system, Mobilize Me.
 Missions Education and Volunteer Missions
Woman’s Missionary Union receives resources for North American missions materials that are used in
publications from NAMB. Since WMU began overseeing Royal Ambassadors, there has been an
increase in membership and materials distribution. Through a Volunteer Opportunities website, there
have been more than 300 volunteer opportunities for mission teams and individuals posted.
 Leadership Development
NAMB equips pastors, church leaders, church planters, ministers’ wives and missionaries through
Churches Planting Churches Training, Multiplying Churches Training, Generation Send, Flourish,
Timothy+Barnabas and Sendnewtork.com.
 Disaster Relief
Each week in 2013 a Disaster Relief team was responding to those in need across the United States.
Through these volunteers, 14,343 ministry contacts, 1,948 Gospel presentations and 227 professions
of faith were recorded.
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
PO Box 6767 (3806 Monument Avenue) Richmond VA 23230
David Platt, President
The mission of the International Mission Board (IMB) is to make disciples of all peoples in fulfillment of
the Great Commission. The vision is: a multitude from every language, people, tribe and nation
knowing and worshipping Jesus Christ.
IMB provides assistance to churches through the following:
 Evangelize people, plant churches and nurture church planting movements
There are a total of 2,166 unreached people groups with populations greater than 100,000. 395 of
these large people groups remain unengaged. Unreached people groups of all population sizes number
3,605. 6,192 new churches were reported.
 Send and support missionaries and volunteers
In 2013, 257 new long-term personnel and 218 new short-term personnel were appointed. New
personnel are placed in the most strategic assignments around the world. IMB continues to make
Southern Baptists aware of opportunities for mission service.
 Mobilize Southern Baptists to be involved in missions
The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal was $175,000,000 and the amount received was
$149,276,304. IMB continues to promote the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas
Offering in a variety of ways. Approximately 4,900 full-time missionaries and close to 100,000 shortterm volunteers work together to share the Gospel across the world.
 Develop global strategies
Human needs operations administered 309 relief and development projects in 67 countries. Almost
6,000 communities were assisted through development projects and disaster relief projects. Over 1.6
million people were helped with basic life essentials using SBC World Hunger Funds and funds
designated for Global Hunger Relief.
GEORGIA BAPTIST CHILDREN'S HOMES AND FAMILY MINISTRIES, INC.
James Harper, President and CEO
www.gbchfm.org
Today, we are seeing children who come from more traumatic situations and have a much higher need
for care. Poverty, grandparents raising grandchildren, substance abuse in the home, human trafficking,
extreme abuse, and more complex behavioral issues have created a need for more intense care and
therapy for our children. In the midst of their crisis, each one of our kids is hoping that someday things
will get better.
Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries helps our children find their “someday” – today.
Our campuses, residential group homes and family foster care programs offer a new beginning for
children who have experienced abuse, abandonment or neglect. Our specialty ministries offer hope to
young teen mothers, girls who have been victimized through human trafficking, children with higher
behavioral needs, children with developmental disabilities in need of respite care, and individuals
coping with physical and developmental disabilities through an innovative therapeutic riding program.
Our community counseling centers, located on our campuses throughout the state, serve as a place for
families to seek help, guidance, and understanding. In 2014, we also began a Family Care program
dedicated to helping mothers and their children overcome domestic violence and homelessness. We
recognize that there are mothers trying desperately to keep their families together despite incredible
odds. Our goal is to minister to these women and children to help them find a safe place to begin a new
life. In 2014, we helped 829 children find their “someday.”
We continue to minister to all of our children’s spiritual needs and show them that true healing and
hope only comes through the salvation of Jesus Christ. We are blessed to share that this past year 59
children in our care made professions of faith!
This ministry can’t serve these children without your help. We are proud of our heritage as an agency of
the Georgia Baptist Convention. Since we do not receive Cooperative Program funding, we are
especially grateful to many of our Georgia Baptist churches across the state that place us in their
church budgets, recognize special offerings for our ministry and participate in associational truck
loadings. Together, we can make “someday” begin today!
THE GRAHAM FOUNDATION
The Graham Foundation provides emergency loans to students who need assistance to remain in
school. In 1991 the trustees turned over daily administration of the Foundation funds and loan servicing
to the Georgia Baptist Foundation, Inc. The Georgia Baptist Foundation was chartered in 1941 to serve
as the independent trust agency of the Georgia Baptist Convention.
The Georgia Baptist Foundation is audited annually. Their report is submitted to the Executive
Committee for inclusion in the Book of Reports. The audit of the Georgia Baptist Foundation suffices for
the Graham Foundation’s requirement for an annual audit. The unaudited Graham Foundation financial
statements and notes submitted here are compiled from account information provided by the Georgia
Baptist Foundation.
GEORGIA BAPTIST HEALTH CARE MINISTRY FOUNDATION
Will C. Bacon, President and CEO
www.gbhcmf.org
Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation is pleased to present our annual report for 2014. As
we selected the grant recipients for this year, we continued to emphasize transforming health care
ministries in and through Georgia Baptist associations. Our intent is that we demonstrate the teachings
of Jesus, especially those of being the neighbor and showing mercy, by offering health care grants.
Our efforts in health care offer generosity that we pray will eventuate into continual deeds of kindness,
both for the ones receiving the ministry, and the ones who offer it. As we partner together in health
care, we follow the Apostle Paul’s advice to Timothy to “teach these truths to other trustworthy people
who will be able to pass them on to others.” Our grants are distributed to help transform communities
for Christ, by touching individuals at their points of health care need.
Demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ through a health care ministry, grants from the Georgia Baptist
Health Care Ministry Foundation make a significant impact on the world, now and in the future. We
thank you for your interest, prayers, and efforts to help us fulfill our mission.
Please access our website at www.gbhcmf.org to learn more about our organization, and the grant
application process.
BAPTIST RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES OF GEORGIA
Peggy J. Beckett, President and CEO
[email protected]
Baptist Retirement Communities of Georgia, INC. has been providing comfortable, secure
homes for senior adults at affordable rates, within a Christian environment, since 1967. Today
over 400 seniors receive services daily from our three communities.
Palmetto Park, situated in rural part of South Fulton County in Palmetto Georgia, offers spacious
grounds, lovely rolling hills and peaceful meadows. Twenty-six garden cottages for independent living
are nestled around a pond filled with fish, turtles, and alternately wild geese. Deer and turkey often visit
the property. Situated on a small rise next to the cottages, stands Baptist Manor, a two-story
congregate living facility offering independent living studios, and one bedroom apartments. Also located
within this structure via a private entrance are 24 personal care suites known as Garrison Personal
Care. Baptist Manor has a large, elegant dining room with vaulted ceilings and wide windows facing the
pond wherein residents enjoy waiter/waitress service from a select menu. Other amenities include
weekly light housekeeping, and a full program of social, spiritual, and physical activities, led by a full
time Lifestyles Director and full time Chaplain. Local businesses deliver groceries, pharmacy
prescriptions and supplies at no additional charge to residents. An on- site beauty and barber shop, and
physicians’ office make life convenient for residents. A new ministry added this year is our cottage for
people receiving long term cancer treatment at the nearby Cancer of America. Cancer Center patients
and their families can find a comfortable respite stay in our cottage called Hope Haven. Designed to
meet their needs Hope Haven offers cancer treatment patients and families a place where they can
relax in a fully furnished 2-bedroom cottage, complete with a functional kitchen, Television, and DVD
player for music, movies or teaching videos. Meals can be delivered from the main kitchen at Baptist
Manor.
Clairmont Crest is located in Decatur, Georgia near Emory University and hospital, Veterans’ Hospital,
and charming revitalized downtown Decatur. This community attracts seniors who enjoy the urban life.
Two 5 story apartment buildings are connected with lighted pathways through gardens, a fountain, and
an in ground swimming pool. Studios, one, two and large two- bedroom apartments for independent
living are available. The residents of Clairmont Crest call themselves Crestors, and live full active lives.
Regular planned trips help them take advantage of the plethora of cultural and entertainment events
provided by a large Metro area. From simple shopping, dining out, to the fabulous Fox and its variety
shows and plays to the more refined concerts, and church services the Crestors can be found enjoying
themselves. An organized activity program makes sure that those who prefer staying near home have
ample opportunity to games, parties, and enrichment services such as Bible study and prayer meeting.
Other amenities of Clairmont Crest are an on-site beauty ad barber shop and a fully equipped senior
gym. New for this year at Clairmont Crest is our chaplain. Our staff chaplain is available for hospital
visits, counseling, and supportive spiritual care. We now offer periodic communion services and special
small focus groups. We are so thankful that God sent us just the right man for this much needed role in
our community.
Hiawassee Park, our community still under construction, is located in scenic northeast Georgia, the
resort town of Hiawassee. For mountain resort retirement, this community is second to none. Presently
we have 34 cottages offering independent living and a central clubhouse that features a large kitchen
and recreational area, a stone fireplace and large screen TV where games, movies and videos are
shared. There is a fully equipped senior gym, and a separate pool room where residents may work out
in the resistance pool which has cross currents, and a retractable under water treadmill. This no impact
exercise is great for osteoarthritis.
We look forward to the addition of personal care and independent living apartments for this community
in the near future. An attractive lodge will house both these ministries as well as a central dining room
that will offer meals to all within the community.
There is never a large buy-in fee for BRC. Rental rates are all inclusive; no additional maintenance or
amenity fees apply. Our age requirement begins at fifty. Presently all our communities are in the 90
percentile for occupancy. God has richly blessed our ministry and we give Him the glory for all the
success it enjoys. As an agency of the Georgia Baptist Convention we are a part of the Cooperative
Program budget and receive funds each month. Many churches have been led to place us in their
budget on a monthly or quarterly basis. Individuals have remembered us in their wills, either with an
outright gift or a trust through the Georgia Baptist Foundation. These funds enable us to adhere to our
ministry mission of offering comfortable housing at affordable rental rates within a Christian
environment.
We are grateful to Georgia Baptists for their generous and faithful support of our ministry. Please keep
us in your prayers as we seek to develop new services and complete this new community, all to the
Glory of God. You are welcome to visit us at any location at any time, or you may take a virtual tour and
view pictures from all our communities on our website. The individual communities also maintain
Facebook internet for residents, families, and friends to interact and get a firsthand view of BRCGA
Community life.
Palmetto Park: Sharalene Roper (770-463-2460)
Clairmont Crest: Cathy Humphrey (404-325-9077)
Hiawassee Park: Shannon Watson (762-500-2021)
President/CEO Peggy Beckett (404-325-9077)
Web site www.brcga.org
BAPTIST VILLAGE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES
Delos L. Sharpton, President/CEO
www.baptistvillage.com
Baptist Village Retirement Communities stands as a unique community where faith and caring are a
way of life. More than five hundred senior adults call a Baptist village facility home. The ministry of
Baptist Village touches seniors at three levels thereby providing a full continuum of care.
Independent Living
The single family and duplex homes offer all the amenities one would expect from a modern planned
community. A lifestyle where upkeep and repairs are someone else’s concern, a location where
shopping, medical, recreation facilities are nearby. Independent living provides residents to age in a
place with security and availability of other levels of care. Independent living villas are available in
Waycross and Macon.
Personal Care
Personal Care is designed for the moment in time when an individual needs assistance in activities of
daily living but does not require nursing care. The goal of this level of care is help the resident maintain
as much independence as possible. Baptist Village provides a program that offers the resident personal
comfort and independence with the benefits of a compassionate staff that gives the residents the
assistance they may need. Personal Care facilities are located in Macon, Waycross, and Lake Park.
Skilled Nursing Care
The J. Olan Jones Nursing Center in Waycross offers the most intensive level of care available.
Through every avenue available Baptist Village strives to improve the quality of life for the residents.
This is accomplished in part through a multi-discipline team skilled in responding to the health care
needs of the residents.
Baptist Village Retirement Communities enters its fifty-seventh year of providing seniors with housing
and health care in a Christian environment. Baptist Village will always focus on making life better for
the residents and their families.
GEORGIA BAPTIST FOUNDATION AND ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE
Johnathan Gray, CEO
www.gbfoundation.org
The Georgia Baptist Foundation was created in 1941 as the trust agency of the Georgia Baptist
Convention. Its purpose is to raise and manage endowment funds to support Baptist churches,
associations, institutions, and agencies. Our primary objective is to help provide the income necessary
for all of these Baptist ministries to carry out their respective Kingdom purpose.
The Foundation has continued to grow in terms of numbers of ministry trusts and accounts. The
Foundation manages over 1500 ministry and trust accounts with a market value of assets under
management exceeding $380 million. These funds are invested in a balanced portfolio of stocks and
bonds to provide ongoing income that supports Baptist ministries. In 2014, the income distributed back
to ministry exceeded $9 million. The Foundation also serves individuals who wish to make outright or
deferred gifts, or who wish to leave part of their estate in support of Baptist causes. Financial support
for Foundation operations is provided in part by the Cooperative Program funds, in part by nominal
management fees, and also by a small endowment fund.
The Foundation offers long-term investment management strategies for endowment-type funds and can
tailor a strategy to meet a particular need. The response to our services has been excellent and we will
continue the search for new ways to serve our Baptist constituency.
We currently have eleven staff members. Grady L. Rockett is CEO. Johnathan W. Gray is President
and will become CEO in January 2015 when Grady (Pete) retires. Susan DePasquale is VicePresident and Chief Financial Officer and Candy Cannon is Director of Trust Accounting. Scott Mitchell
also assists the accounting team as a Senior Staff Accountant. The Vice-President and Director of
Development for North Georgia is Doug Couch. Doug will also be retiring at the end of 2014 and Sam
Warner will be taking his place as Director of Development for North Georgia. Ray Sullivan also serves
on the development team as the Director of Development for South Georgia. Pam Mills is VicePresident and Trust Services Manager and Nancy A. Patterson is the Director of Donor Relations.
Ruth Ruiz serves as Executive Administrative Assistant and Corporate Secretary.
Doug Couch and his development staff continue their outstanding work. The ongoing estate planning
services program offers Georgia Baptists an economical way to prepare their wills and other documents
while making it possible for them to make Baptist causes a part of their legacy. By encouraging estate
stewardship among the Georgia Baptist family, the development team is laying a foundation of
forthcoming resources that will support Baptist ministries for years to come.
Georgia Baptists are encouraged to engage the ministry of the Foundation to help continue their
generosity beyond their lifetimes by establishing trusts and writing Christian wills that support Baptist
causes until Christ returns.
BREWTON-PARKER COLLEGE
Dr. Steven Echols, President
201 David-Eliza Fountain Circle, PO Box 197
Mount Vernon, GA 30445
Phone: 880.342.1087
Website: www.bpc.edu
Brewton-Parker College (BPC) is the only accredited four-year Christian college south of Macon and
north of Jacksonville, Florida, and we are proud of our Baptist heritage. BPC was founded as an
institution of Christian higher learning for students in our surrounding communities. One hundred and
ten years later, BPC is still seeking God for His wisdom and grace as we move forward with our
mission. We are the Alma Mater to students from all over Georgia, the United States, and across the
globe. BPC maintains a small student-to-faculty ratio, which allows one-on-one relationships to grow.
Christian mentorships blossom on our rural campus in the heart of Georgia’s sweet Vidalia onion
country. Brewton-Parker College provides a quality education in a wholesome environment with a
distinctively Christian perspective. The College’s Vision Statement, “Brewton-Parker College strives to
honor Jesus Christ in every area of the academy,” allows the college to focus on its biblically-based
Christian mission anchored in the Georgia Baptist Convention.
The college continues to fulfill the mission envisioned by founders, Dr. John C. Brewton and C.B.
Parker in 1904: higher education that ministers to both mind and spirit. BPC not only equips students
spiritually, but through our numerous majors and concentrations, we also provide students with the
educational foundation they need to succeed in their careers. Staple majors including Business,
Christian Studies, Biology, Communications, Psychology, Ministry, and Education establish the core of
our institution.
During 2014, excitement stirred on campus during BPC’s weekly chapel services. Georgia Baptist
Convention president, Dr. Don Hattaway was the featured guest speaker at Heritage Chapel; The
Ugandan Children’s Choir, on their Mujiza Tour of North America tour sang and celebrated how God
had saved the children’s life; Dr. Gerald Harris, Editor of the Christian Index, addressed the student
body, faculty, staff and administration at Convocation 2014 with a message on Restoring Your Passion
for God; Evangelist Dr. Tim Lee was the Commencement’s guest speaker; and during Spiritual
Emphasis week, Tony Nolan preached and 150 students made spiritual decisions, decisions including
rededication, salvation, and call to ministry for Christ.
We host hundreds of guests annually at events such as our sports day camps for children, athletic
games, summer enrichment camps, biannual Math and Science festivals, and our Alumni weekend.
These events provide us with the opportunity to give back to the community and share the love of
Christ. BPC received two grants to increase our ability to assist both students and the local community:
one from Georgia Baptist Healthcare Ministry Foundation and the other from Lettie Pate Whitehead
Foundation. Our alumni, staff, and students headed off to Disney’s “Night of Joy,” an annual
contemporary Christian rock, pop and gospel concert series at Disney’s Magic Kingdom in the fall. At
Brewton-Parker, we are proud of the hard work and sportsmanship exemplified by our athletic
programs. Hoisting our Baron mascot high, we compete in 12 intercollegiate sports in the Southern
States Athletic Conference within the NAIA. These 12 sports are: baseball, softball, volley ball,
wrestling, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country and track, golf, and men’s
and women’s soccer. In addition to these 12 sports, we also offer independent competitive
cheerleading. As a unit, our athletic programs provide a unifying factor among our students and
function to foster a sense of school pride.
The greatest blessing of 2014 was SACS-COC’s reaffirmation of BPC’s accreditation. It was a four
year struggle for the college to come into compliance with all the financial standards. In December the
college submitted evidence that it has sufficient financial resources to meet its obligations and its
mission, is financially stable, is in control of its finances, and complies with its Title IV program
responsibilities to the United States Department of Education. The college gives thanks to God for this
decision for it was by His guidance that this result was achieved.
We ask that you join our leadership in praying for the students of Brewton-Parker and for the
surrounding community. Ask God to help Brewton-Parker to continue serving His purpose of
proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ to every heart it reaches.
Athletic website: www.gobaronsgo.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/brewtonparker
Twitter: www.twitter.com/brewtonparker, @brewtonparker
Vimeo: vimeo.com/user25268153
YouTube: www.youtube.com/brewtonparkercollege
SHORTER UNIVERSITY
Don Dowless, President
315 Shorter Avenue, Rome, GA 30165
Phone: 800-868-6980 / 706-291-2121
Web Site: www.shorter.edu
King David stated quite elegantly his view of serving God—“I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt
offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24 NIV). David viewed the entire orbit of his life as a
sacrifice of service to the Lord, which he considered to be a joy and an opportunity. One of the books I
have in my library is called 70 Great Christians Changing the World, biographical sketches of
committed Christians from all backgrounds who have made a significant impact upon the world
because of their service to Christ. The chronicle of Christian history contains many more unnamed
individuals who, because of what Jesus Christ did for them on the cross, have added to the furtherance
of the Christian faith. At Shorter University, our faculty and staff are made up of individuals who have
contributed in powerful ways to the University’s mission of “advancing Christ’s kingdom” through the gift
of higher education. Years of preparation followed by years of devoted service without the desire for
personal recognition is a hallmark of a Christian servant. Our faculty and staff serve because they want
to make a difference in the lives of young people. To see the full potential of a student’s God-given
talent brought to full fruition is the goal of Christ-centered servant leadership.
One of the words the New Testament uses to describe the unique relationships between Christians is
koinonia, meaning communion or fellowship. Early Christians joined together to promote and extend
God’s Kingdom in every area of life. A Shorter University education is designed to continue this effort
and to help students achieve God’s purpose for their lives. Such a mission is a gift from God, and as
you can see in this report, our faculty, staff, and students have been given many opportunities during
the past year to express these gifts. I want you to consider the value of a Shorter University
education—we care about the classroom experience, and we are focused on educating the whole
person.
Through your generous and consistent giving as Georgia Baptists, you have helped make the following
successes happen: Shorter University’s status as a fully accredited institution of higher learning was
reaffirmed in June 2014 by a vote of the Board of Trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools Commission on Colleges. The vote confirmed our belief that strong scholarship and Christian
commitment can go hand in hand. We continue to be firmly dedicated to providing our students with
access to professors and academic programs of the highest quality while adhering to biblical standards.
Our Fall 2014 enrollment remained strong. The total traditional student enrollment was 1,624 with our
total enrollment at 2,390. Shorter continues to be highly rated by The Princeton Review, and we have
expanded our campus facilities to meet the needs of our students. Our School of Education and the
newly named Ben and Ollie Brady School of Nursing are now housed on Shorter’s Thornwood
Campus, which includes the historic home of University benefactor Colonel Alfred Shorter and the
adjacent nine acres. The Brady School was dedicated last fall in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Brady,
who were known for their Christian service and their support of Baptist churches in northern Georgia.
The Bradys’ love for the Lord and their heart for serving others will live on through the students of our
Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. In addition to first-rate training in healthcare, they take part in
a required medical missions experience that allows them to work with at-risk populations in an
international setting. For the past two years, the students have served in healthcare clinics and
orphanages in Cap Haitian, Haiti; in the fall of 2014, their experiences in Haiti inspired them to host a
glove drive to collect medical gloves to send to areas of Africa most impacted by the Ebola outbreak.
Shorter students also serve on both a local and global level through their classroom experiences,
athletic teams, student organizations, and campus ministries. One example is our Character Education
course, which teaches students the importance of building a life that embodies core values, selfdiscipline, and emotional security, rooted in the example provided to us by our Savior Jesus Christ. Our
School of Education actively partners with local elementary schools to provide transformational
experiences for K-12 students and to encourage familial involvement in the educational process. In
addition, Shorter freshmen volunteer hundreds of hours each semester through their freshman seminar
classes as they cultivate a heart for Christian service. Our mission teams have traveled to Covington,
Kentucky; the Golden Isles of Georgia; and Alaska to perform relationship evangelism, and students in
our Baptist Collegiate Ministries volunteer on a weekly basis through after-school ministries operated by
two local churches. During the summer of 2015, Shorter students will be serving as missionaries in
Peru, New Jersey, Georgia, Romania, San Francisco, and Africa.
Our students also excel in their academic endeavors. In March, four students representing our chapter
of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society were selected to make presentations at Alpha Chi’s national
convention, and two students, Sarah Geil and Ana Martin, received the highest level of scholarships
presented by the national honor society. Our chapter has been recognized as one of the nation’s best
for five consecutive years, and we are proud of their commitment to success. This fall, five Shorter
student-athletes were named to the 2014 Fireseeds Fall Gulf South Conference (GSC) All-Academic
Team for their achievements in the classroom, and for the second straight year, Shorter dominated the
conference’s fall All-Academic Honor Roll with 83 Hawks and Lady Hawks earning recognition for their
academic achievements.
In July 2014, Shorter was accepted as a full member of NCAA Division II, and our teams have recorded
early success. In November, Shorter’s volleyball team became the first Shorter team to play on the
NCAA’s national stage when they took the court in a first-round Division II South Region match. Our
men’s soccer team advanced to the GSC tournament championship match and earned a number of
NCCAA awards after reaching the semifinals of the NCCAA national tournament. In March, junior
Ayana Walker became Shorter’s first NCAA national champion when she won the 400-meter national
title at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field. Our women’s golf team claimed an NCCAA national
title during Fall 2014, and Shorter teams claimed NCCAA national titles in men’s and women’s indoor
and outdoor track, softball and tennis during the Spring 2014 semester.
We are grateful for the support of Georgia Baptists, of the Convention, and of its leadership as we seek
to accomplish our mission of Transforming Lives through Christ. Pray for us, that the Lord will continue
to bless Shorter. Support us. Send us students. If we make a difference in the life of one student, it is
worth it!
TRUETT-McCONNELL COLLEGE
Emir Caner, President
100 Alumni Drive
Cleveland GA 30528
Phone: 706-865-2134
Web Site: www.truett.edu
On July 23, 1946, the Georgia Baptist Convention founded Truett-McConnell College to train men for
the gospel ministry. In September 1947, the school opened its doors in temporary quarters on the town
square of Cleveland, Georgia, with 55 students.
Today, Truett-McConnell enjoys a growing enrollment of more than 1,600 students, all of whom reflect
the commitment of the college’s mission statement.
Almost 70 years after the college was born, the goal of training students for ministry has never
changed, but has expanded in application to 26 programs of study that include pastoral ministry,
missions, Christian studies, music, nursing, education, business, biology, history, psychology and more.
As an expression of commitment to our founding purpose and mission statement, and to Georgia
Baptists and our Lord’s Great Commission, we require every graduate to complete a Great Commission
minor, which entails theology, missions, Baptist history and a Christian worldview.
We believe that, for all true followers of Jesus Christ, Christianity and career are inextricably
interwoven; there is no dichotomy. Therefore, Truett-McConnell students receive the academic training
for their chosen careers in concert with spiritual instruction so they may share the saving message of
Jesus Christ in the marketplace or in church ministry.
LIVING THE MISSION
Many Truett-McConnell students do not wait until graduation to live out the Gospel. Hundreds of them
continually tell others about Jesus. This happens on a regular basis on the campus, in our town, across
Georgia, in the United States, and around the world. At the close of 2014, Truett-McConnell College
shared the gospel of Jesus Christ in 10 countries.
Whether praying with local residents on their front porches, sharing the message of Christ through
song, or witnessing to Hindus burning incense to an idol in India, Truett-McConnell students boldly
proclaim the saving message of Jesus Christ at home and abroad.
Teams of students who gave their fall break to missions returned from Argentina with reports of how
God worked in and through them.
Thirty-nine students, faculty, and staff members partnered with Crimson Academy, a school of around
400 children in Rwanda, Africa, to share the gospel. Students shared Christ’s love through teaching,
tutoring, soccer and recreation. Many shared their personal testimonies through an interpreter, used
pictures to share the gospel, and simply loved on children who were desperate for continuous affection.
Students also spent time at a local orphanage. One student shared: “As an early childhood education
major my heart and passion is for children. I couldn't wait to love on those kids, and in my mind, I
pictured the place as any other American orphanage. I can honestly say that my heart remains broken
about this orphanage. The precious, broken smiles of those children affected me more than I ever
thought possible.”
More than 17 people came to know Christ personally while TMC ministered in Rwanda.
Reflecting on her trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand, one student shared of a planted seed: “As we talked with
this sweet lady, she asked me why I had come to Thailand. I shared my motivation for leaving home
and all things familiar to come halfway across the world. More importantly, I shared with her that there
is a Person much greater than I, who also left His home in heaven to take on human flesh and
ultimately bear the burden of our sins. Although Gina did not receive Jesus as her Savior, I pray that a
seed was planted, and that one day soon she too will have the hope that we have in Jesus.”
Another student shared how God used a planted seed from a previous trip to Thailand to bring a former
prostitute into a relationship with Christ: “I prayed that seeds of salvation were planted in Bow’s heart. I
so wanted her to find liberation from her bondage of sin and oppression; I longed for her to find Jesus.
During this trip to Chiang Mai, I was reunited with our interpreters who relayed the best news that I
could have ever imagined: Bow accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior last Christmas!”
During a spring chapel service emphasizing missions, we commissioned more than 100 students, staff
and faculty for local and global missions emphases in 2015, which involve evangelistic ministry in
hospitals, orphanages, multi-family housing complexes, cultural centers, college campuses, youth
camps, on the streets, and through sports. Countries on our 2015 missions agenda included Haiti,
England, Scotland, Poland, India, Thailand, the United States, and others.
TEACHING THE MISSION
Our Master of Arts in Theology program launched in September, and we could not be happier about it.
This program is for pastors, by pastors, and specifically designed to meet the needs of one’s calling.
Our program provides the tools needed to further a calling and ministry. With 17 students enrolled for
the first year, we continue to remain optimistic of the programs growth. Of particular note is the addition
to our stellar faculty of three professors who embody and exemplify Truett-McConnell’s mission
statement, all who teach at the Master’s level.
Dr. Phil Roberts presided at the Southern Baptist Convention’s Midwestern Baptist Theological
Seminary in Kansas City, Mo., from 2001 to 2012. He served seven years at the SBC’s North American
Mission Board as a director and then a vice president. Dr. Roberts holds a PhD from the Free
University in Amsterdam, and is adept in international education and evangelism, as well as
apologetics.
Dr. Roberts believes that training in biblical ministries is the highest form of Great Commission work
because it teaches others to observe all things Christ has commanded, and that includes a mandate for
students to become Great Commission teachers and doers.
Dr. Mael Disseau, formerly an adjunct professor at The College at Southwestern -- which is a
baccalaureate-level entity at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary -- holds two earned
doctorates: a PhD in systematic theology, with a minor in Baptist and Free Church Studies, and another
terminal degree in aerospace engineering.
Dr. Disseau believes that all Christians are called to ministry. The aerospace engineer says Christians
do not have to check their brains at the door to impact the scientific world or the culture with the Gospel
of Jesus Christ. Joining our faculty is something of a homecoming for Dr. Disseau because he came to
Christ in a Georgia Baptist Church.
Dr. Jeremy Lyon holds his PhD in Philosophy and his Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist
Theological Seminary and comes to TMC from Southern California Seminary. His work, “Dead Sea
Scrolls – Timeless Treasures from Qumran” was published in Answers Magazine, and he previously
held the title of Founder and Director of the Center for Creation Studies at Southern California
Seminary.
Our online and dual enrollment programs also continue to see growth. Undergraduate students can
choose from four online programs: Business, Christian Studies, Psychology or World Missions.
Students in our dual enrollment program can earn college credits while finishing their high school
diplomas.
PREACHING THE MISSION
Our Thursday morning chapel services continue as the highlight of every week. With preachers like
Junior Hill, Tim Lee, Keith Eitel, and so many others from across Southern Baptist life, our students not
only hear some of the best preaching anywhere, in almost every chapel service they respond publicly to
God’s call to ministry and a closer walk in His will.
Students come to Christ as Savior and Lord, too. In September, Evangelist Tony Nolan returned to
campus and preached three powerful sermons where he spoke of an authentic encounter with God.
Wasting no time, the isles flooded again with students who made a bold stand in obedience to God's
call on their lives. Many surrendered to God's will for their lives and decided to stop questioning and
just say 'yes' to God. Throughout the three days, nearly 27 students gave their lives to Christ and
dozens surrendered to various callings.
ENHANCING THE MISSION
On May 1, we launched our “Whatever is True” capital campaign for a new student recreation center.
Named for the Anabaptist evangelist, George Blaurock, the new center – or, “The Rock,” as students
already have dubbed it – will be an asset for recruitment and a ministry to our students and our athletic
program.
The “Rock” will feature an 8-lane swimming pool, with four lanes offering zero entry ease for older
adults and others. Two racquetball courts and three basketball courts will handle intramural sports,
leisure activities, and regular season basketball games. An elevated, 8-foot wide running track will offer
indoor exercise – a particular advantage in inclement weather. Exercise and training equipment will
include ellipticals, treadmills and free weights.
We plan for the George Blaurock center to honor the Anabaptist evangelist in more than name only, as
we have plans to offer the recreation center’s use to the public on a membership basis. So, even in our
recreation we intend an evangelistic purpose. Those who come to the “Rock” may meet the “Rock of
Ages.” Most assuredly, they will hear the Gospel from the avid student evangelists on campus, now.
God has continued to pour out his blessings and our cash and commitments, since May 1, 2014 is
$1,931,000 toward our $3 million goal. Known to us at this time, by November of this year, our total of
cash and commitments will be $2,281,000. With this news, our grand total of cash and commitments for
the entire project will be $6,281,000 by November. Groundbreaking f or the “Rock” is scheduled for July
2015 and the anticipated completion date is sometime in 2016.
God continues to bless our feeble efforts as we continue to wave the banner of truth and challenge
students to find God’s calling through our liberal arts education with a Christian worldview. We praise
God for His mighty blessings.
On behalf of the Truett-McConnell College family, please accept my deep gratitude for your continuing
prayers and financial support. Inasmuch as God says His Word will not return void, neither will your
investment in the students of this institution as long as we remain true to the mission, the Great
Commission.