Cleveland First Baptist Church

2026 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting Summary
(June 9–10, 2026, Orlando, Florida)

More than 10,000 Southern Baptists gathered in Orlando, FL, for the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. The meeting focused on doctrinal clarity, missions, cultural engagement, church cooperation, and leadership elections. Several significant votes and resolutions were adopted.

Major Election Results

• W***y Rice, Senior Pastor of Calvary Church in Clearwater, FL, was elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention, succeeding Clint Pressley, who completed his second term. Rice defeated Josh Powell, Senior Pastor Taylors First Baptist Church in Taylors, SC, in the presidential election.

• Other convention officers were also elected during the meeting, continuing the regular governance and leadership structure of the SBC: First Vice President, Craig Carlisle (Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Gadsden, AL); Second Vice President, R. B. Ouellette (Pastor Emeritus of First Baptist Church, Bridgeport, MI); Recording Secretary, Travis Kerns (Associational Mission Strategist, Three Rivers Baptist Association, Taylors, SC); Registration Secretary, Don Currence, Administrative Pastor of First Baptist Church, Ozark, MO).

Key Constitutional Action

• One of the most discussed actions involved the role of women serving as pastors. Messengers approved a proposed constitutional amendment—referred to the “Truth and Unity Amendment”—that would explicitly state that churches affirming women as pastors are not considered in friendly cooperation with the SBC. The measure received approximately 75% support. Because constitutional amendments require approval at two consecutive annual meetings, the amendment must be approved again in Indianapolis, IN, in 2027 before becoming part of the SBC Constitution.

Resolutions Adopted

• Messengers adopted eight resolutions addressing both ministry and cultural concerns. Topics included:
o Disability ministry and the inclusion of persons with disabilities in church life.
o Assisted su***de and reaffirmation of the sanctity of human life.
o Immigration and the treatment of immigrants while maintaining respect for the rule of law.
o Political violence and the need for Christians to model civil engagement.
o Opposition to antisemitism.
o The proper use and ethical implications of artificial intelligence.
o The biblical office of pastor.
o National reflection related to America’s 250th anniversary.

Missions and Cooperative Ministry

• The convention celebrated the ongoing work of Southern Baptist missionaries around the world and highlighted the continued importance of the Cooperative Program as the primary funding mechanism for Southern Baptist missions, church planting, seminaries, and ministry efforts. Reports from SBC entities emphasized evangelism, international missions, and church revitalization.

Overall Themes

• Several themes emerged throughout the convention:
o Maintaining biblical and doctrinal fidelity.
o Clarifying the SBC’s understanding of pastoral qualifications.
o Strengthening cooperation among churches.
o Engaging contemporary cultural issues from a biblical worldview.
o Renewing commitment to evangelism and missions.

Summary

The 2026 SBC Annual Meeting will likely be remembered for two major developments: the election of W***y Rice as SBC president and the overwhelming first approval of the constitutional amendment regarding women serving as pastors. Alongside those actions, messengers adopted resolutions addressing several pressing cultural and ministry issues while reaffirming the Convention’s commitment to biblical authority, missions, and cooperative ministry.

A few more pictures from Vacation Bible School!

Attention CFBC
Youth and College & Career!!!
We will NOT meet tonight!