DALLAS (BP) — Charles Grant of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee (EC) took a cue from the apostle Paul’s statement in Philippians 1:25 in inviting emerging Black multicultural leaders to a luncheon on June 10 at the SBC annual meeting.

The Scripture inspires him to talk to various ethnic groups, encouraging them to remain in the SBC to edify one another, he told the 100 or so leaders — some emerging, others established — who gathered for the event.

“We need to remain for the representation of one another, speaking specifically in SBC life and on committees and trustee boards,” Grant told the emerging leaders. “And then finally, for the jubilation of one another as we celebrate and elevate the work of various ethnic fellowship groups in our convention.”

To that end, Grant exposed the young leaders to the wisdom gained by those who have served in Southern Baptist life for decades.

Adron Robinson, immediate past member of the SBC Executive Committee and senior pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Country Club Hills, Ill., gave a testimony of his call to ministry and the pastorate, and his entry into Southern Baptist life, service and leadership, beginning at the state level with the Illinois Baptist State Association (IBSA).

“So every opportunity I had to serve started with someone coming to approach me,” Robinson said, beginning with an invitation to run for state convention vice president. “I ran. They asked me to serve as president. I ran. Every time I served God, and then God opened the door for me to serve in another area.

“At a certain point, they came and said, ‘We want you to serve on the Executive Committee.’ And I’m like, ‘What’s that?’ So they explained to me what the Executive Committee was, what the Executive Committee does. I’d been in prayer about it. And then once again, the Lord opened the door.”

Grant began organizing the Black Multicultural Emerging Leaders group in 2021, hoping to reach those under the age of 40, he said at the luncheon, hoping to establish a platform to create community, explore key issues impacting Black church life among Southern Baptists, and enable church multiplication, momentum and greater involvement in all aspects of Southern Baptist life.

Black leaders across Southern Baptist life address the young leaders, including Quintell Hill, International Mission Board (IMB) African American mobilizer, who encouraged leaders to participate in international missions. Of 3,561 IMB missionaries on the international field, he said, only 21 are Black, with half of those from African American churches.

“We got the good news to get in the soul-winning game. And there are people in our neighborhoods that need Jesus, and there are people in this nation that need Jesus, but there are people around the world that have never even heard the name of Christ,” Hill said. “Those people need opportunity to be able to hear how beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news.”

Black representatives from various entities greeted young leaders, including J.J. Washington, North American Mission Board director of personal evangelism; Mark Croston, national director of Black Church Ministries for Lifeway Christian Resources; and Jordan McGowen, a senior manager at GuideStone Financial Resources.

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Diana Chandler is Baptist Press’ senior writer.)