No. 487 "Safely Back from the Annual Meeting" June 14, 2026

No. 487: Safely Back from the Annual Meeting June 14, 2026 The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is the largest Protestant denomination in the United States, comprising tens of thousands of cooperating churches that labor together in domestic and international missions, theological education, church planting, disaster relief, and next-generation ministries. At each Annual Meeting, messengers gather to discern the denomination’s major directions and missional strategies, while celebrating what God is accomplishing across the globe through the ministry reports of various entities. During this year’s annual meeting, a new SBC president and executive officers were elected. Once again, the gathering underscored the vital importance of evangelism, missions, the biblical identity of the local church, and next-generation ministries. Through the powerful reports of the International Mission Board (IMB), North American Mission Board (NAMB), and our six theological seminaries, we were able to witness the abundant fruit of the Gospel being borne around the world. The SBC Annual Meeting drew over 10,000 messengers, while the Council of Korean Southern Baptist Churches in America (Korean Council) recorded 950 registrants, including 612 adults and 338 children and youth. This standard of participation beautifully demonstrates that our gathering is far more than a mere business meeting; it is a vital landscape of unity and cooperation for a faith community dedicated to raising the next generation together. The theme for this year’s Korean Council meeting was “Walk Worthy” (Philippians 1:27). The opening session declared a message of “Rejoice in Christ Again,” and the final session concluded with a powerful call to stand “Before the Lord’s Grace Again.” Amidst the busyness of ministry and daily life, the challenge to return to the core of the Gospel, to find our joy in Christ, and to stand humbly before His grace deeply resonated in my heart. Our family also had the privilege of serving throughout the week. Chloe (Gaeun) served as a student leader for the 12th-grade class, and Ji-sung served the 9th-grade class, investing deeply in the youth. Meanwhile, I had the opportunity to set up the promotional booth for the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS), assist with transportation for those in need, and share fellowship and ministry updates with numerous pastors and missionaries. An annual meeting is not just a corporate convention. It is a collaborative tapestry where God connects local churches to advance the Gospel together. The Cooperative Program (CP) offerings we give are directly funneled into sending missionaries, providing theological education, planting churches, delivering disaster relief, training pastors, and fueling next-generation ministries. Through CP, our own church actively participates in this global Gospel movement. This meeting was a powerful reminder that no local church exists in isolation. God beautifully knits our churches together to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Echoing the theme of the meeting, my prayer is that we would truly walk worthy of the Gospel, rejoice in Christ again, and remain a church that stands firmly before the grace of our Lord. P.S. Immediately following the annual meeting, the children departed for their mission trip to Chiapas and have safely arrived on the field. Reflecting on the word we received at the meeting to “Walk Worthy,” my heart is filled with immense gratitude knowing that our next generation is already taking active steps of obedience for the sake of the Gospel. Please continue to pray for their safety, health, and spiritual fruitfulness throughout their time on the mission field.