JACKSON — Summit 2025 convened Monday night at West Jackson Baptist Church with major milestones serving as the centerpiece.
The opening session — which was preceded by the Pastors’ Conference throughout the day Monday and a worship service on Sunday night — officially convened with 791 registered messengers from 384 churches.
TBC president Jay Hardwick, senior pastor of Forest Hills Baptist Church, Nashville, dropped the gavel to mark the start of the proceedings, which run through Tuesday night. The event includes special recognition of the centennial anniversaries of the Cooperative Program, Baptist Collegiate Ministry and the Baptist Faith and Message.
The opening session included a message from Jeff Iorg, president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee. (Check back later at baptistandreflector.org for a full story on Iorg’s message).
Daniel Jerkins, pastor of Hickory Withe First Baptist Church, Eads, presented the Cooperative Program budget recommendation of $35 million for a second consecutive year. The recommendation keeps the allocations at the same percentage level — 55% to TBC causes and 45% to SBC causes.
The recommendation received no proposed amendments, and will be voted on my messengers on Tuesday.
The Committee on Arrangements, Committee on Boards and Committee on Committees also issued reports and recommendations which received no proposed amendments. Those reports will be discussed and voted on my messengers on Tuesday, too.
During the miscellaneous business session, Chris Garner, pastor of Holly Grove Baptist Church, proposed a resolution to recognize veterans and the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. The proposal was seconded by Ben Cowell, senior pastor of Brownsville Baptist Church.
The session also included special recognition of first-time Summit attendees, bivocational pastors and past presidents of the TBC. Adam Neeley, senior pastor of West Jackson Baptist, offered a word a welcome to attendees.
The business sessions resume on Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. B&R
