“Stay on Mission”: A Spirit-Led Morning with Dr. Stephen Rummage
There’s something special about gathering face-to-face—when leaders take a break from the everyday rhythm of ministry to listen, ask questions, and seek clarity together. That’s exactly what happened on Tuesday, April 1st, at Mercy Hill Baptist Church in Yulee, where pastors and church leaders from across our Family of Churches came together for our SBC Forum with Dr. Stephen Rummage.
With the 2025 Southern Baptist Convention just around the corner, the purpose of this gathering wasn’t to make political statements or stir controversy—it was to get a clearer view of what’s ahead, to ask honest questions, and most importantly, to refocus our hearts on the mission.
Before the forum began, we took a few minutes for a brief Executive Committee update. I was also thankful that Jim Parrish from Shepherd’s Help was on hand before and after the meeting. For those unfamiliar, Shepherd’s Help is a ministry that walks beside pastors and ministry leaders, offering confidential biblical counseling, coaching, and care—all at no cost. It’s a gift to have ministries like theirs invested in the health and longevity of our shepherds.
But the heart of the morning belonged to Dr. Stephen Rummage, who brought a timely message and a transparent spirit.
A Heart to Serve, a Message to Remember
Dr. Rummage opened with a few personal reflections—stories of his ministry journey, from pastoring in North Carolina to teaching at Southeastern Seminary, to serving churches in Florida and Oklahoma. He spoke with the warmth of a friend and the humility of someone who’s been shaped by both the triumphs and trials of leadership.
But the moment that settled the room came when he shared the three words that helped anchor him during the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic:
“Stay on mission.”
That phrase, spoken to him by a close friend in Oklahoma, has become a guiding truth in his life—and now, it’s something he’s speaking into the churches of Florida. Using Philippians 3:12–14, he reminded us that staying on mission means four things:
Recognizing we haven’t yet arrived
Remembering we belong to Jesus
Refusing to live in the past
Reaching forward to what God has ahead
Simple? Yes. Easy? No. Necessary? Absolutely.
“We can have great programs, powerful events, and well-run systems—but if we’re not reaching the lost, we’ve missed it.”
A Vision for Florida and the SBC
As the leader of our state convention, Dr. Rummage shared four missional priorities he believes we must pursue together:
Evangelize the lost and baptize more new believers
Florida Baptists baptized over 30,000 people last year. Praise God! But with over 17.5 million Floridians still far from Jesus, there’s more work to do.
Call out and develop more God-called leaders
From pastors to missionaries to volunteers, the harvest is plentiful, and we must help raise up workers.
Plant and revitalize more churches
To keep up with population growth and gospel reach, we must multiply new congregations and breathe fresh life into existing ones.
Give generously to cooperative mission efforts
While giving has remained relatively steady, the mission demands more than maintenance. It calls for generosity.
These aren’t abstract goals. They’re boots-on-the-ground challenges for every church in our state. And Dr. Rummage wasn’t just offering theory—he was extending an invitation: Let’s do this together.
Looking Ahead to Dallas
As we look toward the SBC Annual Meeting in June, Dr. Rummage walked us through some of the key topics likely to shape the conversations:
The Reintroduction of the Law Amendment
A proposed constitutional change focused on churches with women holding the title of “pastor” in any role.
Executive Committee Legal Fees
A proposed $3 million allocation to handle litigation, raising stewardship questions among churches.
Sexual Abuse Response & Prevention
The hiring of Jeff Dalrymple and the building of a national support structure to help churches stay safe and accountable.
Celebrating 100 Years of the Cooperative Program
A moment to remember our shared legacy of giving and sending—one of the greatest strengths of our cooperative work.
Ongoing Ministry Reports
Updates from the IMB, NAMB, seminaries, Lifeway, and others will help pastors stay informed and connected.
While there are plenty of opinions to be had, Dr. Rummage made it clear: his goal isn’t to tell pastors what to think, but to help them see the whole picture. In a time when groupthink can easily take hold, we need to be the kind of leaders who think critically, respond biblically, and engage prayerfully.
“Our mission flows from our fellowship—when we walk together in unity, we stay focused on what matters most.”
A Word of Appreciation
As I watched the interaction between Dr. Rummage and our pastors—gracious questions, thoughtful answers, honest dialogue—I was reminded of why I love this family of churches.
We don’t always agree on everything. But what unites us is greater than what divides us. We believe in the gospel. We believe in the local church. We believe in working together to see every person in Northeast Florida and beyond hear about Jesus.
To Dr. Rummage, thank you. Your transparency, humility, and clarity were deeply appreciated. To every pastor and leader who showed up—thank you for staying engaged, for seeking wisdom, and for being part of the conversation.
Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, our hearts on the mission, and our hands to the plow!
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