The great challenge for all of us as Christians in the 21st century is to critically engage our culture with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. To do this, we must prayerfully evaluate all that we do under the light of Scripture and be willing to adjust and align our lives in obedience to all that God has revealed to us in Christ. We gather together as North Carolina Baptists for the 178th annual session of this Convention. Our history is filled with those who have cared about the spread of the gospel to all nations more than they cared about their own lives.

The memory of those who have gone before us gives us strength to accept the challenge of our age. With hope anchored in the promises of God and the power of the gospel, it is my prayer that our time together during this annual session will change us to become more faithful followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is in His name we gather, and it is for His glory that we discharge our duty as servants of Christ. Pray with me that God might be pleased in all that we do and say. May God bless each of you.

Rick Speas
BSC President