IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams appeared on a panel discussing Cooperative Program giving, just ahead of the start of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Baltimore.

“I think one of the greatest needs we’re facing is education for a new generation.  Mission education channels that were there 20 or 30 years ago are not as prevalent as they once were, and so the places where young people and young pastors learned about the Cooperative Program, how it works, and how effective it is, are different today,” Adams said.

“One of the challenges is every state convention is different… We’re trying to step up and educate people in our state about how Cooperative Program works specifically in Illinois, as well as some broad strokes about how it works everywhere.”

SEBTS president Danny Akin added, “You’ve got to beat that drum again, and again, and again, and again, and again– because generations come and go more rapidly than they used to, things change more rapidly than they used to. You can’t assume that if we did this really well–getting the message out ten years ago or five years ago–that’s it’s sufficient for today. Oh, no, it’s not.”

(Pictured from left to right – Jon Akin, pastor, Fairview Church, Lebanon, Tenn.; Paul Chitwood, Executive Director, Kentucky Baptist Convention; Nate Adams; Jimmy Scroggins, lead pastor, FBC West Palm Beach, Fla.; Ronnie Floyd, senior pastor, Cross Church, northwest Arkansas; and Danny Akin, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary).

Baltimore | Matt Redman, a worship leader from Brighton, England, asked the crowd at the SBC Pastors’ Conference what shared interests they might have. “Do you like Downtown Abbey?” he asked to laughter and some cheers.

Redman led the audience in some of his newer worship songs, and then transitioned into one of his best-known anthems, “The Heart of Worship.”

The city has welcomed Southern Baptists with beautiful harbor views, mild temps, and baseball – the Orioles are hosting two “Baptist nights” at Camden Yards.

We’ve also learned a few things about the city, like:

– Baltimore is the birthplace of Babe Ruth. The slugger never played here, but he’s memorialized at the ballpark.

– Crab cakes come fried or broiled. (You can probably guess which is better.)

– Old Bay seasoning can be used to flavor coffee.

Check out these photos (that last one is an official Old Bay mocha), and come back throughout the day for more from Baltimore. The SBC Pastors’ Conference continues today with messages from Eric Mason, Rick Warren, Francis Chan, and more. Go to sbcannualmeeting.net to listen live.

Baltimore | Dozens of missionaries were commissioned this afternoon in Baltimore in a rare joint service held by the Southern Baptist International and North American Mission Boards.

The commissioning, part of the annual meeting of Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU), was the first combined service in at least 25 years, said National WMU Executive Director Wanda Lee. Leaders from state WMU chapters, including Illinois’ Jill McNicol, carried in flags and torches as a packed ballroom sang “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations.” Then, missionaries walked to the microphones and told why they’re going to Alaska, Canada, and to the ends of the earth.

Our lives were well-established, said one couple, but we’re “surrendering in faith becoming uncomfortable for His glory.”

“Why not retire? Just take it easy,” another couple recounted the advice they’d heard. The 69- and 71-year-old, who’ve served in several places around the world, are going again. “So, don’t let your age keep you from doing what God wants you to do.”

And don’t let your past hold you back either. A former inmate out of prison for almost 30 years told the audience how he’s making a difference for families of incarcerated people through “restorative re-entry ministry.”

After the missionaries shared, mission board presidents Tom Elliff and Kevin Ezell gave charges to them and to the churches committed to support them. Elliff shared the advice Paul gave in Colossians 4:17: “Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it.”

Ezell told those gathered for the commissioning: “This is not the end but the beginning of your support.

“We must continue to give and pray and to support these who are going where very few people will go.”

Illinois WMU President Jill McNicol was part of the processional during a missionary commissioning service in Baltimore.

Native Praise, a choir representing 15 Native American tribes, led in worship between missionary testimonies.

North American Mission Board President Kevin Ezell prayed to conclude the service, “Father, thank you for allowing us to be part of what you’re doing.”