The first day of the online American Baptist 2021 Biennial Mission Summit, Thursday, June 24, kicked off with a live Welcome Session, which served as an orientation to the online platform so that participants could anticipate what to expect, navigate the events with ease, and interact with the American Baptist family in real time. All were then welcomed to join Caucus Sessions offered by the Alliance of Asian American Baptist Churches Caucus, the American Baptist Hispanic Caucus, the American Baptist Women’s Caucus, the National American Baptist Churches Portuguese Speaking Caucus, and the National Black Caucus of the American Baptist Churches USA.

Behind the scenes during Opening Worship Service at the studio.

Day one of the three-day event wrapped up with the Opening Worship Service focused on the theme Imagine Unity, celebrating the ability to gather virtually as the Body of Christ. Each of the National Executive Council leaders shared “silver linings” from the past year, and all celebrated the Lord’s Supper led by Rev. Dr. C. Jeff Woods (Interim General Secretary), Karen Podsiadly (ABCUSA President), and Rev. Dr. Marie Onwubuariri (Associate General Secretary for Mission Resource Development). Woods reflected on the high calling of both offering and receiving the cup of communion one to another as the united Body of Christ.

There is more in store for attendees today, Friday, June 25.

Participants are encouraged to attend the MMBB Member Address at 3:00 p.m. EDT. Join MMBB’s Chief Executive Officer, Louis P. Barbarin, CPA for opening remarks and an uplifting musical selection followed by keynote speaker Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty.

A selection of afternoon workshops will be offered at 4:00 p.m. EDT including Living the Gospel in the United States and Puerto Rico, MMBB: Financial Wellness in the New Normal, Radical. Redeemed. Ready: Imagining New Possibilities for Women in Ministry, and The Problem with Normal. Following the workshop offerings, the Business Session will begin at 5:00 p.m. EDT. All delegates are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting for the purpose of receiving annual reports required by the bylaws, voting for officers and directors, and conducting such other appropriate business as may come before the delegates.

International Ministries will host a Highlighting International Ministries event at 6:30 p.m. EDT with featured speaker, Rev. Sharon Koh, executive director of International Ministries. Later in the evening, participants are invited to imagine and experience God’s healing spirit in our lives during the Worship Service Imagine Healing at 7:00 p.m. EDT. Through a virtual choir, liturgical dance, and a time for prayers of the people, we will acknowledge the hurt in our midst and celebrate the balm that heals us all. The preacher for the evening will be the Rev. Dr. Winterbourne Harrison-Jones.

Day two of the 2021 Biennial Mission Summit will end with Laugh Your Way to Grace at 8:15 p.m. EDT.  Join Rev. Susan Sparks for a half-hour of laughter where you will lighten your perspective, focus your energies, and reclaim your innate sense of holy joy!

Check out the full Detailed Schedule of the 2021 Biennial Mission Summit and look for highlights and comments on the event on Facebook. Promote the Biennial Mission Summit using these hashtags #ABCImagine2021 and #ABCMissionSummit when sharing about your experience on social media and search social media platforms for these hashtags to read what others are saying about the event!

Get ready for Day 2 of the 2021 Biennial Mission Summit—An Online Experience!

Helpful technology and Business Session information is also available at www.abc-usa.org/imagine2021.