2024 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention
Join Georgia Baptists from across the state as we gather for the 2024 Georgia Baptist Convention Annual Meeting. Over the course of three days this November, we’ll worship and celebrate the Lord’s work through Georgia Baptist churches. We’ll also look forward as we prepare for what He intends to do through us in the years ahead.
Georgia Baptist Convention Documents
Select a document below to download:
Make plans to participate in this year’s Annual Meeting
Join Georgia Baptists from throughout the state for this year's Annual Meeting. (Schedule is subject to change.)
Sunday
November 10
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Inspiration Service
Monday
November 11
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Executive Committee
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Preaching Conference
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Session 1
Tuesday
November 12
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Session 2
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Lunch
2:00 - 5:30 pm
Session 3
Vendor Exhibits Schedule
Monday, November 11
9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Tuesday, November 12
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Get to know this year’s speakers
At this year's Annual Meeting, you’ll hear from Georgia Baptist Mission Board leadership as well as an incredible lineup of pastors & authors.
Kevin Ezell
Executive Director, North American Mission Board
With a heart for pastors and a passion for the gospel, Kevin Ezell serves as the President of the North American Mission Board (NAMB). NAMB mobilizes Southern Baptist churches for their next step in missions in North America. During his tenure, Kevin has led NAMB and Southern Baptists to plant more than 9,400 churches. At this rate, by 2030, one-third of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) will have been planted in the last 20 years. NAMB’s 3 Circles tool is now in the hands of more than two million people, making it the most used evangelism resource in NAMB’s history. Through Send Relief – the compassion ministry arm of the SBC – NAMB operates 20 ministry centers across the U.S. and Canada connecting people in need with people who care, all with the goal of leading people to a life in Christ. Prior to joining NAMB, Kevin served as the senior pastor of churches in Texas, Illinois, and his native Kentucky. He is married to his wife Lynette, whom he met on the campus of their alma mater, Union University. They have six children and seven grandchildren. He is a so-so golfer and a big fan of Kentucky Wildcat basketball.
Jeremy Morton
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Woodstock, GA
Ever since he began preaching in Central Georgia at the age of 16, Jeremy Morton has exhibited a passion for serving and leading in the Church. Jeremy has faithfully pastored churches across Georgia, planting Cross Point Baptist Church in Perry, GA, serving as the Senior Pastor of Cartersville First Baptist Church, and, for the last five years, as the Lead Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Woodstock, GA. Raised in a ministerial family, Jeremy, with his wife, Carrie, and their three kids, Zeke, Madie, and Abe, continue a rich legacy of prioritizing involvement in the local church. For Pastor Jeremy, the ministry is about people first and then preaching the most significant news ever given. After completing a Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2022, he has enjoyed spending even more time with his family and engaging in mission projects across Africa and Central Asia. Jeremy’s life goal is to glorify God by being a faithful husband, supportive father, loyal friend, and loving leader.
Robby Gallaty
Senior Pastor, Long Hollow Church, Hendersonville, TN
Robby Gallaty is the Senior Pastor of Long Hollow Church in Hendersonville, TN. Robby completed his Masters of Divinity Degree in Expository Preaching in 2007 and his Ph.D. in Preaching in 2011 from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Robby is the author of numerous books and also provides a wealth of discipleship resources through Replicate Ministries. When he’s not serving at Long Hollow, you might find Pastor Robby hanging with his family, communicating on his HAM radio, cutting and measuring wood in his woodshop, out on the nearest disk golf course, or cheering for LSU. Robby is married to Kandi and they have two sons; Rig and Ryder.
Landon Dowden
Hebron Baptist Church, Dacula, GA
Landon Dowden is the Lead Pastor of Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula, GA. He is originally from Louisiana where he graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in Management. He also earned a Master of Divinity, a Master of Theology, and a Doctor of Philosophy from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been married to his wife, Tara, for over 20 years and they have four beautiful children, Arabella, Adalaide, Adoniram, and Alastair. Landon has been a Lead Pastor for over 19 years and has led student camps for many national student organizations for the past 28 years. He currently serves as an adjunct professor for Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary working in the Doctor of Ministry program in the field of preaching. He has published two commentaries in the Christ-Centered Commentary Exposition Series which are Exalting Jesus in Ezekiel and Exalting Jesus in Esther. His next volume, Exalting Jesus in Deuteronomy, will be published next year. Landon’s conviction regarding preaching is that nothing is better for God’s people than God’s word which leads him to preach expositionally through books of the Bible. His prayer is that in making the Word of God fully known that the Spirit will make the people of God fully mature. Landon has held numerous denominational roles at both the associational and state levels, as well as, serving on 14 international mission trips.
Josh Saefkow
Senior Pastor, Flat Creek Baptist Church, Fayetteville, GA
Dr. Josh Saefkow is the President of Georgia Baptist Convention, which makes up the largest religious, faith-based group in the state with 1.4 million people. A native of Creston, Ohio, Pastor Josh came to Flat Creek in December of 2016. He has an earned Doctorate from Gateway Seminary of Los Angeles, California. He is married to Kelsie Saefkow, from Macon, GA. They have two daughters Chloe and Sophie.
Thomas Hammond
Executive Director, Georgia Baptist Mission Board
W. Thomas Hammond, Jr., is an esteemed speaker and the Executive Director/CEO of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board since January 1, 2019. Prior to this role, he served as the lead pastor of Alpharetta First Baptist Church from 2013-2018, during which the church achieved significant growth and community impact. With a strong focus on evangelism, Rev. Hammond led Alpharetta First Baptist to baptize over 250 people and initiated various outreach programs. His extensive experience includes leadership roles at the SBC Executive Committee, North American Mission Board, and Metrolina Baptist Association. Additionally, he has served as president of the Georgia Baptist Convention, a trustee at multiple institutions, and a chaplain for the Alpharetta police and fire departments. Rev. Hammond holds a degree in Business Administration from Augusta State University and a Master of Divinity from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Married to Kerri Russ Hammond, they have two daughters, Katie Elisabeth and Karley Marie.
PREACHING CONFERENCE
This year's Preaching Conference promises to excite and inspire. Join us Monday from 1-4 pm for this can't-miss opportunity.
RICK CORAM
Vocational Evangelist
Rick Coram is a full-time vocational evangelist who has spent the past 28 years averaging 45 Revival/Crusade meetings a year. The ministry holds two conferences during the summer months: PowerLife Student Camp was started in 1989 with 125 and has grown to two weeks since 1996 with over 1,200 attending yearly. Lives have been changed and souls saved each year. PowerLife Adult Bible Conference started in 1989 with 65 and has grown to over 450 in attendance in recent years.
From 1982-1988, Rick served as Pastor of Springhill Baptist Church in Fernandina Beach, Florida. While serving as Pastor, Sunday School went from a low of 336 to a high of 622. The church saw 600 baptisms in six years. During the church year 1984-1985 there were 165 baptisms, which ranked Springhill in the top 25 evangelistic churches in the state of Florida.
DR. TIM McCOY
Pastor Emeritus of Ingleside Baptist Church, Macon
Dr. Tim McCoy is the Pastor Emeritus of Ingleside Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia, where he served as Lead Pastor from 1989-2024.
By God’s grace and under Pastor Tim’s leadership, Ingleside grew to more than 5,000 members. From 2011-2024, Pastor Tim’s teaching was broadcast on WMAZ-TV each Sunday morning and reached upwards of 12,000 listeners each week. Beginning in 2016, he wrote and posted an email devotional commentary, “A Chapter a Day,” which was received daily by more than 10,000 subscribers when it was suspended in May 2024.
Pastor Tim is a graduate of Louisiana College (B.A., 1980) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1983; Ph.D., 1989). Denominationally, he has served as First Vice-President of the Georgia Baptist Convention (1995), as a member and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International Mission Board (1994-2001), and as a member of the Resolutions Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention (2011). He currently serves as a trustee of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (2016 – term to conclude in 2026).
Pastor Tim and his wife, Beverly Brown McCoy, have been married 37 years, and they have two married adult daughters, and one grandson.
CLINT PRESSLEY
Senior Pastor, Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC/President, SBC
CLINT PRESSLEY serves as Senior Pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Since 2010, he has led the church to exalt Christ, make disciples, and pass the torch of the gospel to the next generation.
A native of Charlotte, Clint joined Hickory Grove as a teenager before earning a Bachelor of Arts from Wofford College in South Carolina and a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisiana. He pastored two churches in Mississippi before returning to Hickory Grove in 1999 as Senior Associate Pastor of Preaching. In 2004, he was called as Senior Pastor of the historic Dauphin Way Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama. In 2010, he returned to Hickory Grove as Co-Pastor and was installed as Senior Pastor in 2011.
In June 2024, Clint was elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention. He also served the Convention as Vice President of the SBC Pastor’s Conference in 2013, First Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention in 2014-2015, Trustee of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary since 2015, and member of the NC Baptist Board of Directors since 2023.
Clint is married to Connie, and they have two sons.
This Year's Second Stage
Join us for the Second Stage, our version of “Ted Talks.” These 30 minute interviews are inspiring case studies of how God is working in churches throughout the state. You’ll hear practical insights that your church can use to make a difference in your ministries.
Blazing a New Trail: Women in Ministry
Women have a long and rich history in ministry, but often without the recognition and support they need. In this second stage, we’ll discuss a new program under the Pastor Wellness umbrella that is focused on meeting these needs.
Tech-Savvy Ministry: Mastering iPads for Preaching and Teaching
This second stage is designed to empower pastors and ministry leaders with the latest technology. Learn how to effectively use an iPad and other digital tools to enhance your preaching and teaching experience.
Simple Strategies for Reaching Younger Women
They are the most-asked questions among leaders of women. How do we reach younger women? How do we connect and mobilize a new generation for missions and ministry? How do we begin discipleship and mentoring relationships? Together, we will answer those questions and more.
Your Church Can Experience Revitalization
In this second stage you will hear pastors share their stories of churches who are experiencing revitalization through a six-step biblical model called Refocus. And you will discover how your church can get started.
VBS: The Greatest Evangelism Tool Today
Georgia Baptists are experiencing a resurgence in VBS in many of our churches. At this second stage you will get fresh ideas and inspiration to take back to your church as we prepare for another great year of VBS in 2025.
Discipleship Pathway
Focusing on the #1 expressed need in Georgia Baptist churches, this second stage will offer practical steps you can take to create an effective process in your church for making disciples.
Other scheduled gatherings
Monday
November 11
Executive Committee (Invitation Only):
10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Hispanic Ministry Meeting:
11:00 AM-5:00 PM
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Luncheon:
11:00 AM-1:00 PM
Golden Isles Baptist Network Luncheon (Invitation only):
12:00 PM-1:30 PM
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Luncheon:
12:00 PM-1:30 PM
African American Fellowship Luncheon:
12:00 PM-2:00 PM
Preaching Conference:
1:00 PM-4:00 PM
Korean Conference Meeting:
2:00 PM-4:00 PM
Brewton Parker College Dinner:
4:00 PM-5:30 PM
Young Leaders After Party: REGISTER
9:00 PM-10:30 PM
Women in Ministry After Party: REGISTER
9:00 PM-10:30 PM
ANNUAL MEETING HEALTHCARE SUMMIT
This Healthcare Summit is available to Georgia Baptist pastors, ministerial staff and their spouses. Dental appointments, shingles vaccinations, biometric screenings, and angioscreening will be available on November 11th and 12th at no cost to participants.
