FRANKLIN — The annual gathering of Tennessee Baptists is about one month away and, like last year, will celebrate significant historical milestones.
The Summit, titled “All Aboard: Advancing Together,” will take place Nov. 9-11 at West Jackson Baptist Church, starting with the Sunday evening Tennessee Homecoming worship service and concluding Tuesday night.
Last year, Tennessee Baptists celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. This year focuses on two 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. “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. Both of these landmark ministries have had a monumental kingdom impact in Tennessee and literally to the ends of the earth.”
The Summit will begin Sunday, Nov. 9, with the presentation of the Eagle Award, given to a Tennessee Baptist layperson who has made significant contributions in serving Tennessee Baptists.
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.
The event will include 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
- This year marks the second year the annual meeting begins Monday night and concludes Tuesday night. Monday’s opening session is especially important, as the 2025-2026 Cooperative Program Allocation will be recommended, with allowances for amendments to be introduced. Questions can be asked, but no discussion will ensue until the allocation’s final vote Tuesday. (See included allocation graphic.)
- Regarding resolutions, members of cooperating Baptist churches should submit proposed resolutions to the Committee on Resolutions at least 15 days before the annual meeting by sending their document to Dennis Trull, Committee on Resolutions chair, in care of Jessica Jiang at jjiang@tnbaptist.org.
All resolutions must still be presented during the Monday night session, even if submitted early. Submitted resolutions must include the submitter’s name and the church of which they are a member. The Committee on Resolutions may consider a resolution not submitted at least 15 days before the annual meeting if the committee deems the resolution timely and worthy of consideration.
Editor’s note on resolutions: Resolutions are written statements of opinion, encouragement, or calls to action that may be considered by the messengers. The statements are nonbinding on messengers and cooperating Baptist churches. For more information about resolutions, see Tennessee Baptist Convention Bylaw III, F. Resolutions.
- 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 Regions.
- 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. More information, including registration, is available at TBCSummit.org.
- Reports and recommendations from the Committee on Boards and Committee on Committees are available on pages 8-9.
- Wednesday morning offers a post-Summit gathering titled “Return Together” from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Jackson. The gathering’s focus is on renewal and prayer and features Richard Blackaby of Blackaby Ministries International; Randy C. Davis, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board president and executive director; and Jay Hardwick, Tennessee Baptist Convention president and pastor of Forest Hills Baptist Church in Nashville.
Registration for the Summit is underway. Visit TBCSummit.org to register. Onsite registration for messengers and guests opens Sunday, Nov. 9, at 5 p.m. B&R
