Annual gathering will honor centennial milestones
Tennessee Baptist messengers will gather for their annual meeting, Summit, on Nov. 9-11 at West Jackson Baptist Church. The event opens with a worship service Sunday and runs through Tuesday night when a special night of celebration will take place. — File photo / B&R
FRANKLIN — The annual gathering of Tennessee Baptists, most commonly known as Summit, begins Sunday at West Jackson Baptist Church, and will be an event marked by historical and significant milestones.
This year’s theme is, “All Aboard: Advancing Together.”
The event opens Nov. 9 with the annual Sunday night Tennessee Homecoming worship celebration, and continues the next day with the pastors conference.
The first session of the annual meeting is slated for Monday night, and the event concludes with Tuesday night’s session that will focus on centennial celebrations.
“The first centennial celebration is that of the Cooperative Program,” said Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
Randy Davis
“M.E. Dodd, a native Tennessean and considered the father of the Cooperative Program, presented the idea of cooperative giving to the Southern Baptist Convention in Memphis in 1925. We will celebrate 100 years of this historic missions mutual fund.
“We will also celebrate 100 years of Baptist Collegiate Ministry in Tennessee,” he added. “Both of these landmark ministries have had a monumental kingdom impact in Tennessee and literally to the ends of the earth.”
The presentation of the Eagle Award, given to a Tennessee Baptist layperson who has made significant contributions in serving Tennessee Baptists, will be given during Sunday’s worship service. The sermon for the worship service will be delivered by Dan Spencer, pastor of First Baptist Church in Sevierville, Tenn., and great-nephew of Dodd.
“Our Tennessee Homecoming worship celebration is a highlight,” Davis said. “This is our 10th year kicking off the Summit with it, and I believe it sets a tone for our time together. I strongly encourage area churches to celebrate with us and anyone from across the state who can travel early.”
Pastors Conference: The annual Pastors Conference will begin Monday, Nov. 10, at 9 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m.
Current conference president Matt Brown of Germantown Baptist Church in Germantown, Tenn., will preside over the program, which includes Greg Belser, pastor of Morrison Heights Baptist Church in Clinton, Miss.; Lee Brand, pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Bartlett, Tenn.; Mac Brunson, pastor of Valleydale Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala.; James Dew, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans; Chase Sears, pastor of Tulip Grove Baptist Church in Old Hickory, Tenn.; and Lee Tankersley, pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Jackson, Tenn. Worship will be led by Ron Norton, worship pastor of Germantown Baptist Church in Germantown, Tenn.
Annual meeting notes
- Download the official Summit app from your preferred app store by searching Tennessee Baptist Mission. Or, scan the QR code in registration with your phone’s camera only (do not use a QR reader app).
- This year marks the second year the convention meeting begins Monday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. and concludes Tuesday night. Monday’s opening session is especially important, as the 2025-2026 Cooperative Program Allocation Budget will be recommended, with allowances for amendments to be introduced. Questions can be asked, but no discussion will ensue until the budget’s final vote Tuesday.
- In voting for convention officers, messengers will, for the first time, also vote to seat three Tennessee Baptist Convention regional vice presidents representing each of Tennessee’s three Grand Divisions.
- Celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the Cooperative Program and Tennessee Baptist Collegiate Ministry are part of the program.
- Keynote speakers throughout the two days will be Jeff Iorg, president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee; Jay Hardwick, Tennessee Baptist Convention president and pastor of Forest Hills Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn.; and Danny Sinquefield, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board’s Harvest Field 1 leader.
- Monday and Tuesday include breakout sessions and luncheons covering a variety of interests. (See page 6-7 of this edition for information).
- Wednesday morning offers a post-Summit gathering titled “Return Together” from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The gathering’s focus is on renewal and prayer and features Richard Blackaby of Blackaby Ministries International; Randy C. Davis, TBMB president and executive director; and Jay Hardwick, TBC president and pastor of Forest Hills Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn.
Online registration for the Summit is now closed. On-site registration for messengers and guests opens Sunday, Nov. 9, at 5 p.m.
Visit TBCSummit.org more information.B&R
SUMMIT SCHEDULE
Sunday, Nov. 9
5 p.m. — Registration opens
6:30 p.m. — “Tennessee Reunion” worship service
8:30 p.m. — Harvest Field Dessert Fellowship
Monday, Nov. 10
8 a.m. — Registration opens
9 a.m. — TBC Pastors Conference, Session 1
9 a.m. — Exhibit Hall opens
Noon — Breakout Sessions
1 p.m. — TBC Pastors Conference, Session 2
1 p.m. — TBC Ministers’ Wives: The Good Cup
5 p.m. — African American Celebration Banquet
7 p.m. — Annual meeting, Session 1
Tuesday, Nov. 11
7 a.m. — Registration opens
8 a.m. — Exhibit Hall opens
8:30 a.m. — Annual meeting, Session 2
Noon — Breakout Sessions
1:30 p.m. — Annual meeting, Session 3
5 p.m. — Alumni Dinners (see full list at tnbaptist.org)
7 p.m. — Annual meeting, Session 4
Wednesday, Nov. 12
8:30 a.m. — Return Together: A Post-Summit Gathering with Richard Blackaby
• All times CST •
