This week, Michelle and I had the privilege of attending the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando. While many people think of the annual meeting as business sessions, elections, and reports, I was reminded once again that Baptist cooperation is ultimately about advancing the gospel.

One of the highlights for me was attending the IMB dinner. I had the privilege of sitting with missionaries preparing to serve in a part of the world so sensitive that they could not tell me their real names or where they were going. As I listened to their stories and their willingness to leave behind comfort, familiarity, and security for the sake of Christ, I was both challenged and inspired.

Moments like that always cause me to ask a simple question: If God were to place a blank sheet of paper before me addressed to Jesus, would I be willing to write, “I will __________,” sign my name at the bottom, and leave the details to Him?

The faith and obedience of those missionaries was a powerful reminder that the Great Commission is not merely something we support—it is something we are called to live.

I was equally encouraged at the NAMB luncheon as we celebrated more than 3,300 endorsed chaplains serving around the world with our military and throughout our nation in hospitals, prisons, law enforcement agencies, corporations, and countless other settings. Many people will never enter a church building, yet these chaplains carry the hope of Christ into places most of us could never go.

Throughout the week, I connected with ministry leaders who are helping churches strengthen bi-vocational ministry, engage local schools, reach communities in New England and Montana, and develop resources to better serve pastors and congregations. I also spent valuable time with fellow associational leaders from across the country discussing ways to strengthen churches, support pastors, and sustain long-term ministry faithfulness. Michelle participated in sessions designed specifically for ministry wives, where she received encouragement, practical ministry insights, and fellowship with others serving in similar roles. All of that happened outside the annual meeting itself.

Inside the convention hall, I was reminded that while Baptists are often criticized—and sometimes criticize ourselves—the overwhelming spirit of the gathering was one of worship, missions, cooperation, and kingdom impact. We celebrated what God is doing through our seminaries, WMU, IMB, NAMB, state conventions, local associations, and churches across the nation. The headlines often focus on our disagreements, but sitting across the table from missionaries preparing to take the gospel to unreached peoples reminded me that our greatest work happens when we keep the Great Commission at the center.

The annual meeting reinforced something we see every day in CenLa. Cooperation is far more than a structure or strategy. It is churches working together so missionaries can be sent, chaplains can serve, pastors can be equipped, churches can be strengthened, and the gospel can be carried to our neighbors and the nations.

I returned home grateful for what God is doing through Southern Baptists and even more convinced that we truly do build better together.