Clay Hallmark
When the Tennessee Baptist family gathered at Bellevue, we had a lot to celebrate and a lot for which to praise the Lord. I am thankful for all of our messengers and guests who traveled from throughout the state to attend the Summit.
We enjoyed some great music, times of worship, focused prayer, exciting challenges for our future, and we heard the truth of God’s Word.
One of the highlights of the 2022 Summit was the futurist presentation of Ryan Keaton, emerging generation specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, who gave us a glimpse into what the future of the state of Tennessee will look like, the projected demographics, and the challenges we face as a convention of churches. I pray that all of you came away from that presentation more challenged than ever before to reach Tennessee for Christ starting right now.
A second major highlight of the Summit was our Acts 2:17 listening sessions. Thank you to all of our messengers who attended these important sessions. We got to hear directly from you and our churches.
Our Acts 2:17 initiative is designed to help us seek God’s direction for Tennessee Baptists as we approach our 150th anniversary celebration. We are not interested in what we want, but only interested in what God wants for our lives and churches in the coming years.
These listening sessions are coming close to you in the near future. It is imperative that you and others all around you attend and participate. What great things is God leading us to do together in the coming years?
What needs do we have now or will have that must be met? What do we need to stop or start so that we can reach more and more people for Jesus and set them on the road to discipleship?
The foundation for all we are doing right now across Tennessee is prayer! The late Vance Havner said, “Where there is not prayer, there is no power.”
As the president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, I want to lead us to be a people of prayer. Prayer conferences are coming to your part of the state in 2023. When you see these conferences, we need you to attend, learn some key principles about the power of prayer, spend time with other leaders actually praying and seeking God, then go back to your church and lead your people to pray. Be paying attention for the “He.We.They. Prayer Conferences” coming to your harvest field.
On a personal note, let me thank you Tennessee Baptists for the confidence you have placed in me by reelecting me to serve a second term as TBC president. I do not take this role lightly. I want to please the Lord, honor Him, and serve you well.
Together, we can make a great impact for the Kingdom of God this year all across Tennessee and into the world. B&R — Hallmark is pastor of First Baptist Church, Lexington.
