2025 Messengers consider miscellaneous business, resolutions of appreciation

During the Tuesday morning business and worship session of the 2025 Texas Baptists Annual Meeting, messengers considered two motions and three resolutions, filled the remaining Convention officer positions, heard a sermon, the President’s Address and worshiped and prayed together.

Tiffany Stotts and the Hardin-Simmons Chapel Worship Band led worship, and Ronny Marriott, pastor of First Baptist Church Richardson and outgoing president of Texas Baptists, gave his President’s Address out of John 17:20-23, calling for unity among diversity for Texas Baptists. 

Messengers consider miscellaneous business, resolutions on appreciation, pornography harm

During the Committee on Annual Meeting (COAM) Report, John Whitten, pastor of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene and Committee chair, introduced two motions that were brought to the floor during the Monday morning business session.

The first motion to be considered was brought by Mike Miller, messenger from Central Baptist Church in Jacksonville. He moved that “the messengers of the BGCT to the BGCT 2025 Annual Meeting direct the Institutional Relations Committee of the Executive Board to evaluate the Special Relationship Agreement with Baylor University, specifically with respect to Baylor’s endorsements of and partnerships and affiliations with any organizations that advocate for or affirm the LGBTQ lifestyle and agent and report back any findings, actions or recommendations to the messengers to the BGCT 2026 Annual Meeting.”

The Committee allotted eight minutes for discussion of the motion. Miller led by speaking in favor of the motion, and additional messengers spoke against and for the motion. Upon conclusion of the allotted time, a vote was taken and the motion was defeated.

The second motion considered by messengers was brought by Kody Alvarez, messenger from Oak Grove Baptist Church in China Spring. His motion read: “I move that the Baptist General Convention of Texas direct the Institutional Relations Committee to examine all BGCT-affiliated educational institutions for alignment with the GC2 Summary of Faith as adopted and amended by the messengers in the 2021 Annual Meeting, and to require that all professors in religion and theology departments sign and affirmation of the GC2 Summary of Faith as a content addition of continued cooperation and BGCT Funding.

“Institutions found out of alignment shall have two years to make necessary corrections, after which any school that refuses or chooses to retain professors who reject the GC2 Summary of Faith shall forfeit all institutional funding and scholarship support provided by the Convention.” 

The motion was ruled out of order by the Committee on Annual Meeting because it circumvented the authority of the Executive Board and required a constitutional amendment.

Wesley Shotwell, chair of the Committee on Resolutions, brought three resolutions for consideration by messengers. Becky Biser, committee member from University Baptist Church in Fort Worth, read the resolution on the appreciation of hosts. 

“The messengers to the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas in Abilene express their appreciation to churches and members of Abilene-Callahan Baptist Association,” the resolution read. “The messengers express special thanks to the city of Abilene, the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, Abilene Convention Center and Visitors Bureau… and the members of the Committee on Annual Meeting and their important contributions.” 

The resolution passed.

Danny Quintanilla, committee member and Bear Creek Baptist Church in Katy, read the resolution on the appreciation to convention officers and staff. 

“The messengers to the 140th annual meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas in Abilene express our appreciation to the officers of the convention who have served during the past year,” the resolution read. “We express our appreciation to Julio Guarneri, executive director, and to the men and women who work on the BGCT staff for their faithful labor on behalf of Texas Baptists… We continue our prayerful and loving support to encourage these leaders in their work and leadership.” 

The resolution passed. 

Jordan Villanueva, pastor of First Baptist Church Blanket, read the resolution on the pervasive harm of pornography in the digital age.

“The messengers of the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, meeting in Abilene, TX, on November 16-18, 2025, express our lament over the proliferation of pornographic material across digital platforms and emerging technologies, and its destructive effects on the moral and spiritual fabric of our churches and communities,” the resolution read. “Texas Baptists commit to leading out in opposing the plague of pornography, recognizing that this is an issue of the heart that demands a repentant, biblical, compassionate, prophetic, pastoral and redemptive response.” 

The resolution passed. 

Additional Convention officers elected, other business

Bill Arnold, former president of Texas Baptist Mission Foundation, was elected secretary of the corporation. Steve Vernon, messenger from First Baptist Church Belton, nominated Arnold. 

Michael Evans, Sr., pastor of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mansfield, was elected registration secretary. Joe Fields, messenger from New Beginnings Church in Lewisville, nominated Evans. 

Arnold and Evans were unopposed.

Michael Evans, Sr., pastor of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Mansfield and registration secretary, reported on Convention attendance. At the close of registration on Tuesday at 10 a.m., 2,007 attendees—1,136 messengers and 806 guests—attended the three-day meeting in Abilene.

Whitten reminded messengers that the 2026 Annual Meeting in Waco at the Waco Convention Center and the 2027 Annual Meeting at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler were previously approved. 

“The committee continues to study locations for the family gathering in the summer of 2028, and we'll look to bring it as a recommendation next year in Waco,” said Whitten. 

C.V. Blake, chair of the Memorials Committee, gave a report, followed by scripture reading, and a video was shown of Texas Baptists who have gone to be with the Lord since the last Annual Meeting.

Delvin Atchison, senior pastor of Westside Baptist Church in Lewisville, delivered a message on making disciples. He encouraged attendees that leaders need the humility to serve, the vulnerability to suffer, the tenacity to stand and have the certainty of success.

Following Marriott’s President’s Address, Guarneri recognized Marriott for his service as president and recognized the incoming Texas Baptists’ officers. 

Incoming officers of the convention are Debbie Potter, president; Joseph Adams, first vice president; Ariel Martinez, second vice president; Bill Arnold, secretary of the corporation; Michael Evans, Sr., registration secretary. 

Guarneri formally invited everyone to the 2026 Annual Meeting to be held in Waco on Nov. 15-17. 

Dan Wooldridge, former pastor of Crestview Baptist Church in Georgetown, led the benediction and the meeting was adjourned.