The 161th Annual Meeting of the West Virginia Baptist Convention

Dear West Virginia Baptist Family,

The psalmist declares in Psalm 145:3, "Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom." This is not a polite religious sentiment. It is a thunderous, unqualified confession. The greatness of God exceeds the capacity of every mind that has ever tried to contain it. We cannot measure His greatness, nor can we exhaust it. We can only worship before it.

And that is precisely where William Carey began. Before he ever attempted great things for God, he had first learned to expect great things from God. His confidence was not in his own resources or resolve. It was rooted in an unshakeable conviction about who God is — vast, faithful, and wholly worthy of the most audacious obedience his servants could offer. Worship was the wellspring of his mission.

This is why we gather. Not simply to conduct the business of a Convention. We gather because we need to be reminded, together, that the God we serve is still greater than our greatest need, our deepest discouragement, and our most stubborn circumstances. We gather to hear what He is doing in our churches across this state — and to have our hearts stirred, once again, toward the kind of expectant faith that dares to attempt something for His glory.

With joy, I welcome you to New Baptist Church in Huntington for the Annual Meeting of the West Virginia Baptist Convention. My prayer is that you will arrive with open hands and expectant hearts — ready to worship, ready to listen, and ready to return home with renewed conviction that the greatness of God is more than sufficient for whatever He has called you to do.

Come expecting great things. Leave attempting great things.

To Him be all glory,

Pastor Trent Eastman
New Baptist Church · Huntington, West Virginia

Thursday:

9:30 AM - 2:00 PM Pre-Convention Activities

2:45 PM Session 1

5:00 PM BCM Banquet

6:30 PM Session 2

8:30 PM Camp Cowen Reception

Friday:

8:00 AM Workshop Session 1

9:15 AM Session 3

11:00 AM Workshop Session 2

12:00 PM Lunch Break

1:30 PM Exhibit Hall with Dessert

2:30 PM Session 4