State convention annual meeting season is underway and Baptists in Alaska kicked it off in SBC-style Sept. 26–28.
Along with the 100 registered messengers from Alaska Baptist churches, those gathered at Glacier Valley Baptist Church in Juneau (or online) included family members and area guests.
Baptist leaders and missions volunteers from state conventions in Alabama, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia also were present as were representatives from seminaries, Baptist colleges and several denominational entities.
Importance of partnership
As I looked around the meeting space and checked out the agenda, it didn’t take long for me to realize Alaska Baptists understand the importance of partnership.
We all need each other and have specific gifts and assignments to bring to the table — and they model the concept beautifully.
Under the direction of Randy Covington as executive director, the Alaska Baptist Resource Network continues to build and strengthen relationships across the denomination.
In addition to the formal partnerships with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, ABRN also maintains ongoing relationships with a variety of groups.
For those of us who thrive in partnerships, we sensed the bond and felt right at home the minute we walked in the door.
Along with the warm welcome and hospitality by Alaska Baptists, the visiting Carolina Cook Team also impressed us with their southern cooking as they prepared and served the meals for the annual meeting.
The agenda was packed with business items, ministry reports, panel discussions and inspirational messages.
New officers
New ABRN officers also were elected: president, Rob Scott, pastor of Dillingham Bible Fellowship; vice president, Philip Coleman, pastor of True North Church in Anchorage; second vice president, Willie Tauanuu, pastor of University Baptist Church in Anchorage; and recording secretary, Cathy Arns, member of First Baptist Church Anchorage.
Related meetings included: Impact Alaska gathering for those working in associational missions and church planting; Alaska Baptist Pastors Conference; and the Alaska WMU annual meeting.
To learn about ways to partner with ABRN, visit alaskabrn.com.
