Unified theme, sermon series highlight annual meeting

AUSTIN SBTC President Nathan Lino is excited about the upcoming Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC) annual meeting at Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, Nov. 14-15. Lino shared his reasons for enthusiasm with the SBTC executive board during their summer meeting, Aug. 9.

Chief among his reasons is the unified theme—The Holy Spirit—between the annual meeting and the Bible conference, which will be held in the same location prior to the annual meeting, Nov. 13-14. 

“Starting last winter, Danny Forshee, who is president of the Bible conference, and I began talking and praying, and we earnestly sought the face of God to try to find what he wanted the theme for this coming November to be. We are convinced that God wants us to focus on and talk about the Holy Spirit,” Lino said.

Additionally, Lino said the annual meeting program will be streamlined similar to the way the Southern Baptist Convention schedule has been arranged in recent years, with business items grouped together. This will create more time, Lino said, for compelling reports and presentations on what God is doing among SBTC churches. 

“The Lord is doing staggering things through our convention and the members of our churches—1.2 million people are members of SBTC churches—need to know that they are a part of a special movement of God.”

Nathan Lino, SBTC President

“The Lord is doing staggering things through our convention,” Lino said, “and the members of our churches—1.2 million people are members of SBTC churches—need to know that they are a part of a special movement of God.”

Lino also explained his approach to the six preaching slots throughout the annual meeting, which will model expository preaching sequentially through a chapter in the Bible. He asked David Allen, dean of the School of Preaching at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, to break down Romans 8 into six passages, and six different pastors will preach them in order.

The annual meeting will conclude Tuesday evening with a worship service designed to refresh and renew church leaders and members. Lino said they are inviting all Austin-area evangelical churches to join in the service, which will feature music, a guided and intentional prayer time, and a sermon by Gregg Matte, pastor of First Baptist Church in Houston.

The Day of Fasting and Prayer for the annual meeting is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 23. Churches are invited to join together with others in praying for the annual meeting. 

Texan Correspondent
Keith Collier
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