English
English
Korean
Spanish
Messengers prepare to celebrate a cooperative ministry that has been ‘Built on the Rock’
In Matthew 7:24, Jesus said, “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Those words are the foundation of the theme of this year’s Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Annual Meeting, “Built on the Rock.”
The meeting, scheduled for Oct. 26-27 at First Baptist Church Forney, provides an opportunity to gather and celebrate what God has done through the cooperative work of SBTC churches. Annual meeting messengers will not only reflect on God’s faithfulness, but prayerfully chart a course forward as the SBTC mobilizes its churches to multiply disciple-making movements in Texas and around the world.
The schedule of events will once again include the president’s message, which will be delivered by Caleb Turner, senior pastor of Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church. Biblical challenges will be delivered by JR Vassar, lead pastor of Church at the Cross in Grapevine, and Moisés Gómez, lead pastor of Ekklesia Comunidad Bíblica in Irving. Send Network SBTC—the convention’s church planting ministry partnership with the North American Mission Board—will host a commissioning service for planters and their families, and a president’s lunch panel will once again be held on the final day of the meeting.
Over the past few years, the SBTC has identified three pathways by which its churches are mobilized: through resourcing churches, networking leaders, and advancing mission. In conjunction with those efforts, a series of dinners will be held Monday night for many of the SBTC’s networks. Dinners will be held for the Executive Pastors and Administrators Network; Missions Mobilization; Shepherds Collective (senior pastors); Women’s Ministry; Worship Leaders; Black Church Network; and for the Asian Fellowship.
Messengers will also be invited to connect at a reception after proceedings conclude on Monday night.
Turner to be nominated for second term as SBTC president
Judd Frazier, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Kemp, has announced his intention to nominate Caleb Turner, senior pastor of Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church, for a second term as president of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention at its annual meeting in October.
Turner has been Mesquite Friendship’s senior pastor since 2023, having previously served as the church’s equipping/teaching pastor, assistant pastor, and co-pastor.
“I have had the joy of knowing Pastor Caleb Turner for several years. During that time, he has become a trusted friend, a faithful mentor, a constant source of encouragement, and an outstanding example of Christlike leadership in ministry,” Frazier said. “His leadership has been exceptional, and his integrity and character speak for themselves. For these reasons, it is my honor to nominate my friend and brother.”
Turner has served as a trustee for the North American Mission Board, and he was also the youngest and first African American to serve as chairman of the SBTC’s Executive Board. In June, Turner preached the convention sermon at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla.
After graduating from John D. Horn High School in Mesquite, Turner attended the University of Oklahoma on a track and field scholarship. Prior to graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, working with its Special Operations Command while stationed at Hurlburt Field in Florida. He was also stationed at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan for a time.
While in Florida, Turner served several churches in youth and children’s ministry. Upon completing his active-duty commitment, Turner attended Moody Theological Seminary in Chicago, earning a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies.
Mesquite Friendship gave $181,650 through the Cooperative Program in 2024 and $152,120 in 2025.
Turner and his wife, Tamera, have three children: Caden, Cason, and Camden.
Meals & Events
Meal registration is required at sbtexas.com/am26.
Sesión en Español
Domingo, 25 de octubre
5:30-6:45 p.m. – Sesión en Español
Compañerismo (Fellowship)
7-8:30 p.m. – Sesión en Español
Culto de Celebración (Celebration Service)
Lunes, 26 de octubre
10-11:55 a.m. – Talleres en Español en General
(En Español Breakout)
10-11:55 a.m. – Talleres En Español para Mujeres
(En Español Women’s Breakout)
12-2 p.m. – Almuerzo En Español (En Español Lunch)
At a Glance
Monday Evening 6:30-8:20 p.m.
+ Send Network Church Planter Recognition
+ Message by SBTC President Caleb Turner
Senior pastor, Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church
Tuesday Morning 9-11:55 a.m.
+ Message by JR Vassar
Lead pastor, Church at the Cross, Grapevine
+ SBTC Executive Director’s Report Nathan Lorick
Tuesday Afternoon 2-4:10 p.m.
+ Message by Moisés Gómez
Lead pastor, Ekklesia Comunidad Biblica, Irving
ANNUAL MEETING MEALS
Monday, Oct. 26
4:30-6:15 p.m. – Networking Dinner Breakouts
8:30-10 p.m. – Welcome Reception
Tuesday, Oct. 27
7:30-8:45 a.m. – SBTC Disaster Relief Taco Truck
& Seminary Breakfasts
12:15-1:45 p.m. – President’s Lunch
Annual Meeting 101
Southern Baptists of Texas Convention churches gather each year at the annual meeting, sending messengers to encourage one another and direct the convention’s cooperative efforts. Messengers establish the annual meeting agenda, hear ministry reports, and vote on the budget, resolutions, motions, and officers—shaping the future of our cooperative ministry. Each SBTC church can send up to 10 messengers to the annual meeting.
Resolutions
The 2026 Resolutions Committee will receive proposed resolutions from Tuesday, Sept. 1, until Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A proposed resolution must include your name, church membership, phone number, and email address. Please review the format of previous SBTC resolutions at sbtexas.com/resolutions. All proposed resolutions must be emailed to resolutions@sbtexas.com.
Additionally, only SBTC ministries and approved exhibitors may hand out material to the messengers.
