Ronnie Floyd stands in a centralized area of St. Louis and makes a plea in a video promoting this year’s Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Annual Meeting, June 14-15. “We have never needed to be together more than in 2016,” said the SBC President.

The video is featured on the sbcannualmeeting.net website, under the heading “Call to St. Louis,” and Floyd, senior pastor of Cross Church in northwest Arkansas, emphasizes the importance of Southern Baptists meeting in St. Louis this summer.

“With our culture ever changing and our world becoming ever more dangerous by the day, now is the time for us to come together,” said Floyd.

Last year, Floyd orchestrated a new schedule for the SBC Annual Meeting in Columbus, Ohio, which highlighted ministry work that excites Southern Baptists. This year’s schedule offers a similar emphasis, including a Tues. night, June 14, National Call to Prayer for Spiritual Leadership, Revived Churches, Nationwide and Global Awakening, which will be led by Floyd and other Southern Baptist pastors and leaders.

The SBC Annual Meeting begins Tues. morning with recognizing all Armed Forces veterans. Floyd also will give the presidential address, followed by a national conversation on racial unity.

Other highlights include Ted Traylor, pastor of Pensacola, Fla., Olive providing the convention sermon during the Wed. morning session, and a panel discussion titled “The Pastor and Church in American Politics Today” during the Wednesday afternoon session. A joint mission presentation of the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board will be a part of Annual Meeting’s conclusion.

“Across the years I have observed and been privileged to work beside SBC presidents. No one in my years of involvement has served with greater vision, purpose and indefatgable effort,” said Anthony Jordan, executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, about Floyd. “He has poured out his life as a drink offering before the Lord in behalf of Southern Baptists. In our annual meeting in St. Louis this June we will elect a new president. It is very important for Oklahoma Baptists to attend and participate. Your choice will shape the future of the SBC.”

Leading up to the SBC Annual Meeting will be the SBC Pastors’ Conference, June 12-13. Speakers will include Jack Graham, pastor of Plano, Texas, Prestonwood; James MacDonald, pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel, outside Chicago, Ill.; and Byron McWilliams, pastor of Odessa, Texas, First. Information on the conference can be found at sbcpc.net.

Crossover St. Louis will happen on Sat., June 11, featuring 75 different mission projects throughout metro St. Louis. Led by the St. Louis Metro Association, Crossover St. Louis will meet many needs and could have an impact on this region of 2.7 million people. For more information, visit www.stlbaptist.com/crossover2016.

2016 SBC Annual Meeting Reminders

Preschool Childcare

Available for children birth through five years will once again be provided by Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Childcare teams Sunday through Wednesday—registration is open at www.sbcannualmeeting.net—space is limited to 120 children, and pre-registration is REQUIRED—there will be NO On-Site Registration—deadline for registration is May 6 or when capacity is reached (whichever comes first).

Giant Cow Ministries

Formerly known as Children’s Conference International, Giant Cow provides activities for children ages 6-12 Sunday through Wednesday—registration is open at www.sbcannualmeeting.net. A special thanks to WMU for providing missions education as part of the curriculum.

Youth On Mission

Available for those children who have completed grades 7-12 will be provided again by WMU Tuesday and Wednesday—registration is open at www.sbcannualmeeting.net—space is limited to 106 youth, and pre-registration is REQUIRED—there will be NO On-Site Registration—deadline for registration is May 6 or when capacity is reached (whichever comes first).

Messenger Pre-Registration

Open at www.sbcannualmeeting.net

“SBC Annual Meetings” App

Updates are being made as information becomes available—stay connected by downloading the 2016 “SBC Annual Meetings” app from the Play Store or App Store.

Hotel Reservations

These can be secured by going to www.sbcannualmeeting.net.

No Shuttle Service

Due to close proximity of many hotels, and the availability of local transportation options, shuttle service will not be offered.

SBC Pastors’ Conference

Information can be found at www.sbcpc.net.

Crossover St. Louis

Those interested in participating in Crossover on June 12, visit www.CrossoverStLouis.com.

2016 SBC Annual Meeting Highlights

Tuesday Morning, June 14

• Celebrating America: Recognizing All Veterans of Our Armed Forces

• Presidential Address

• 2016 National Conversation on Racial Unity

Tuesday Afternoon, June 14

• Executive Committee Reports and Recommendations

• Committee on Committee Report

• Committee on Nominations Report

• GuideStone Report

• Election of All SBC Officers

• Committee on Resolutions Report

• Other SBC Business

Tuesday Night, June 14

• 2016 National Call to Prayer for Spiritual Leadership, Revived Churches, Nationwide and Global Awakening

Wednesday Morning, June 15

• LifeWay Report

• Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Report

• All Seminary Reports

• Convention Sermon

• WMU Report

• North American Mission Board Report

• International Mission Board Report

Wednesday Afternoon, June 15

• Panel Discussion: The Pastor and Church in American Politics Today

• Panel Discussion with SBC Entity Presidents and Messenger Questions from the Floor

• Joint Mission Presentation, International Mission Board and North American Mission Board

• Formal Conclusion to the 2016 Southern Baptist Convention