Photo gallery: Scenes from the 202nd annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention

Photos by HENRY DURAND and KRISTA ROE, The Christian Index

Sunday, November 17, 2024

STATESBORO, Ga. — Georgia Baptists gathered on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 11 and 12, for the 202nd annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention at First Baptist Statesboro. An inspirational service was held on Sunday, the eve of the meeting, during which a church-planting partnership between the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and the North American Mission Board was announced.

Thomas Hammond, executive director of the GBMB, told listeners that Georgia Baptists are leading the way in several ways that are key to reaching the lost and supporting pastors and churches in the state. Messengers also elected new officers for the coming year, and approved bylaw changes as well as resolutions. 

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Caption: A band of students from Georgia schools and universities performs during an inspirational service on the eve of the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention at First Baptist Statesboro, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: A sign welcomes messengers to the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention at First Baptist Statesboro. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Josh Saefkow, senior pastor at Flat Creek Baptist Church and president of the Georgia Baptist Convention, gavels open the 202nd annual meeting of the GBC at First Baptist Statesboro, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Robby Gallaty, senior pastor of Long Hollow Church in Hendersonville, Tenn., preaches on the second day of the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention at First Baptist Statesboro, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Attendees respond to an altar call following a sermon by Robby Gallaty, right, senior pastor of Long Hollow Church in Hendersonville, Tenn., on the second day of the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention at First Baptist Statesboro, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Josh Saefkow, senior pastor at Flat Creek Baptist Church and president of the Georgia Baptist Convention, delivers his message at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention at First Baptist Statesboro, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Thomas Hammond, executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, delivers his report at the Georgia Baptist Convention annual meeting Tuesday. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Attendees respond to an altar call following a sermon by Robby Gallaty, senior pastor of Long Hollow Church in Hendersonville, Tenn., on the second day of the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention at First Baptist Statesboro, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: John Waters, lead pastor at First Baptist Statesboro, presents Josh Saefkow, Josh Saefkow, senior pastor at Flat Creek Baptist Church and president of the Georgia Baptist Convention, with a page from a 1611 King James Bible, at the 202nd annual meeting of the GBC in Statesboro, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Evangelist Rick Coram delivers his message at the Georgia Baptist 2024 Preaching Conference in Statesboro, Ga. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board, speaks about a new partnership between NAMB and the Georgia Baptist Mission Board with the aim of planting more churches in Georgia. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Thomas Hammond, executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, and Kevin Ezell, left, president of the North American Mission Board, embrace after formalizing a new partnership with the aim of planting more churches in Georgia. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Clint Pressley, president of the Southern Baptist Convention and pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C., delivers his message at the Georgia Baptist 2024 Preaching Conference in Statesboro, Ga. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Robby Gallaty, senior pastor of Long Hollow Church in Hendersonville, Tenn., preaches on the second day of the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention at First Baptist Statesboro, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Vendors and guests interact in the historic sanctuary of First Baptist Statesboro during the 202nd annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Landon Dowden, lead pastor of Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula, delivers the Doctrinal Sermon at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention at First Baptist Statesboro, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Jeremy Morton, senior pastor of First Baptist Woodstock, delivers the Missionary Sermon at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention at First Baptist Statesboro, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: John Conrad, minister of music at Flat Creek Baptist Church, leads worship during the 202nd annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention in Statesboro. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Messengers overwhelmingly approve new bylaws at the 202nd annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention in Statesboro. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Brad Whitt, senior pastor of Abilene Baptist Church, speaks with Chris Reynolds, lead strategist for Pastor Wellness, during a "Second Stage" presentation at the 202nd annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention in Statesboro. (Index/Krista Roe)

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Caption: Lauren Sullens, president of Georgia Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union, shares her story at the Georgia Baptist Convention annual meeting Tuesday. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Mark Marshall,  senior lead strategist for Church Strengthening, addresses the Hispanic Preaching Conference during the annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention in Statesboro. (Index/Krista Roe)

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Caption: Ladies worship during the Ministry Wives' Luncheon at the 202nd annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention in Statesboro. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Beth Ann Williams, lead strategist for Georgia Baptist Women, hosts Allison Young, left, missions and disciple-making advocate in the children's ministry at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, on stage during the 202nd annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention in Statesboro. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Lee Brewer, senior pastor of Palmetto Baptist Church, speaks with Mark Marshall, senior lead strategist for Church Strengthening, during a "Second Stage" presentation at the 202nd annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention in Statesboro. (Index/Krista Roe)

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Caption: Robby Foster, pastor of Northside Baptist Church of Valdosta, speaks at the 202nd annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention in Statesboro. He is joined on stage by, from left, Todd Wiggins of Southbridge Community Church, Randy Ray of Pineview Baptist Church, Garret Grubbs of Crossroads Baptist Church, Paul Fulton of FBC Homerville, and Brad Waters of FBC Hazlehurst. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Attendees worship at the 202nd annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention in Statesboro, Ga. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Members of the choir worship as they sing at the 202nd annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention in Statesboro, Ga. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board, speaks about a new partnership between NAMB and the Georgia Baptist Mission Board with the aim of planting more churches in Georgia. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Savannah Trammel sings during worship at the 202nd annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention in Statesboro, Ga. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Messengers attend the 202nd annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention at First Baptist Statesboro. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Korean believers pray during the Korean Conference meeting at the 202nd annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention in Statesboro. (Index/Krista Roe)

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Caption: Josh Saefkow, senior pastor at Flat Creek Baptist Church and president of the Georgia Baptist Convention, delivers his message at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention at First Baptist Statesboro, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Thomas Hammond, executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, delivers his report at the Georgia Baptist Convention annual meeting Tuesday. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Tim Oliver, pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Milledgeville, worships at the 202nd annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention in Statesboro, Ga. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Josh Saefkow, senior pastor at Flat Creek Baptist Church and president of the Georgia Baptist Convention, sings during the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention at First Baptist Statesboro, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: The sun sets behind a water tower on the last day of the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention at First Baptist Statesboro, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Wade Lott, senior pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Hiawassee, delivers the closing prayer of the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention at First Baptist Statesboro, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Josh Saefkow, senior pastor at Flat Creek Baptist Church and president of the Georgia Baptist Convention, gavels closed the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention at First Baptist Statesboro, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)