A Vision Realized:
Bro. Steve’s Leadership in the Southern Baptist Convention

In 2016 Bro. Steve shared his three-fold vision for the SBC: Soul-Winning through personal evangelism, good Stewardship among all believers, and Spiritual Awakening as we seek God’s manifest presence in fervent prayer. At this year’s meeting in Phoenix, that vision permeated every aspect of the Convention.

Soul-Winning

“People still get saved when we share the Gospel with them.”

Bro. Steve announced his vision for an Evangelism Task Force—an intentional, clear mission for sharing Jesus. The Task Force will study how the Southern Baptist Convention could be more effective in personal soul-winning and evangelistic preaching. The Executive Committee of the SBC will bring a report and any recommendations to the SBC meeting in Dallas, June 12–13, 2018. The goal is to mobilize God’s people to make soul-winning a personal, everyday practice.

 

Stewardship

“Stewardship is simply understanding we don’t own anything, God owns everything.”

Wednesday afternoon Bro. Steve led a Stewardship discussion panel made up of four pastors, a representative of Ramsey Stewardship Solutions, and the President and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee. The purpose of this panel was to discuss best practices for the SBC to pursue biblical stewardship at every level.

During his report on Wednesday, David Platt, International Mission Board (IMB) President, shared that the IMB is now standing on solid financial ground thanks to each churches’ giving to the Cooperative Program and a gift of more than $153 million given to Lottie Moon. Because of this, the IMB can stop decreasing and start increasing the number of IMB missionaries around the world. The more we give, the more missionaries we can send.

There is no question the IMB is able to do what it does because of the different entities of the SBC. We exhort you to continue giving. Our goal is to not just plant churches and move on. Our mission is to equip people from the nations to reach the nations for ongoing ministry.
David Platt

President, International Mission Board

Spiritual Awakening

“America needs God to open the windows of Heaven and pour out His Spirit upon His people, and I believe we need that now.”

As the Convention opened Tuesday morning, Bellevue’s Minister of Music, Mark Blair, joined by the Praise Team and Worship Band, led thousands of attendees with the familiar chorus “Revive Us Again”—the heartbeat of the Convention. Sharing his vision for our city and beyond, Bro. Steve spoke about America’s need for a spiritual awakening—a movement that starts in each of us. That message persisted through each song, message, and order of business.

Our greatest need is for God. Why would people preach anything but God’s Word? I’m not running out of Bible; I’m running out of time.

Roger Spradlin

Senior Pastor, Valley Baptist Church

“…A Catalyst for Spiritual Awakening in Memphis and Beyond.”

Bellevue is a church that desires, and has fervently prayed, to be a catalyst for revival. In 2016 God entrusted Bro. Steve with the responsibility of SBC leadership, allowing Bellevue to be part of the awakening He is stirring in the hearts of His people. Please continue praying that God would bring revival as we join together in the mission of lifting high the name of Christ.

“Pray—for Such a Time as This”

Please continue praying for Bro. Steve as he leads the Convention in the coming year—that we would be a network of churches, ministries, and believers who pursue Soul-winning, biblical Stewardship, and a Spiritual Awakening—for such a time as this.

Special Thanks

Bellevue members, thank you for your willingness as a church to send Bellevue staff, volunteers, and family to support Bro. Steve at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting. From the music led by Mark Blair, Steve Wiggins, the Praise Team, and Worship Band, to the crews assisting with sound, video, and social media, as well as Bellevue’s Messengers who played a vital role in important business proceedings—we praise God for Bellevue’s spiritual, financial, and prayerful investment in 2017 Annual Meeting. Because of your prayer and support Bellevue was able to provide leadership that will have lasting impact. To God be the glory!

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