Golden returns to lead Dakota Baptists
BROOKINGS, S.D. (BP) — Garvon Golden returned as interim to the helm of the Dakota Baptist Convention (DBC) for their 42nd annual meeting Oct.9-10.
The two-state convention’s gathering at the Wilbert Square Event Center drew 58 messengers from DBC’s 80 churches, and 58 guests.
“A timeline has been established by the DBC administrative team, and the search for a new executive director will begin immediately,” Golden told Baptist Press.
Golden also serves in retirement as pastor of Christ Church in Rapid City, S.D.
“I am looking forward to giving direction to the DBC staff, consult with the Executive Board and the administrative team, encourage our state staff, church relation missionaries, pastors and churches,” Golden said. “Do what I can to ensure a smooth transition to our next leader.”
The theme for the Dakotas’ 42nd annual meeting was “Living in Anticipation,” with Romans 28:22-23 as its scriptural watchword: “For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.”
Representatives from several Southern Baptist entities brought greetings in person or via video, including Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee President and CEO Jeff Iorg, who spoke twice.
“His sermon on endurance especially hit home with all the messengers from across the Dakotas,” Golden said. “We also said thank you to Bruce Roach who retired from being a trustee with IMB after six years of service.
“The WMU (Woman’s Missionary Union) prayer walk in the motel meeting room involved women and girls in going from table to table praying for missionaries and people groups, including our Native American brothers and sisters, “ Golden continued. “This was done in partnership with the Mississippi WMU, who sent six women to lead in leadership retreats and the annual meeting prayer walk.”
Business consisted of approving the budget, electing officers and passing a resolution.
Messengers adopted a 2026 budget of $526,990, down from a 2025 budget of $539,170. This budget included the Dakota’s standard 25% – $115,000 – of $460,000 in Cooperative Program gifts from churches given to the national Cooperative Program of the SBC.
Chip Holmes, pastor of First Baptist Church of Woolsey, S.D., was reelected as DBC’s president for a second one-year term, and John Fischer, pastor of Journey Church in Fargo, N.D., was elected vice president.
Karen Holmes, a member at First Woolsey, was reelected recording secretary. Anna Lill, a member of Langdon Baptist Church in Langdon, N.D., was elected assistant recording secretary.
A resolution was approved expressing gratitude to the City of Brookings, S.D., and the Wilbert Square Event Center for “graciously providing outstanding facilities and hospitality.”
Stephen Carson, pastor of Connections Church in Belle Fourche, S.D. and Send Network Dakotas director, told messengers during his report, “We have also seen God do some amazing things in rural areas of the Dakotas. It seems as though God is raising up men to plant in harder-to-reach areas of our states.
“As a result, we are working hard on a strategy to help DBC pastors and churches to engage rural areas near them,” Carson continued. “We also want to develop a vibrant system of training to help resource those men and churches.”
Among Dakota Pacesetters for the 2024 calendar year, Mercy Gate Church in Box Elder, S.D., reported the highest number of baptisms in North and South Dakota: 64. Andy Daniels is pastor.
Cornerstone First Baptist Church in Williston, N.D., is credited with the largest dollar amount in its Cooperative Program giving: $48,374.43; and highest per capita giving: $478.95. Jason Queen is pastor.
Living Hope Baptist Church in West Fargo, N.D., had the largest dollar amount – $5,393.88 – for giving to the Baker State Missions Offering. Tanner Olson is pastor.
“The warm family-style fellowship and seeing friends from all over the Dakotas is always a highlight,” Golden said. “But hearing from Dakota pastors preaching God’s word and hearing from those who serve through our SBC entities is always an encouragement. We look forward to new challenges and wonderful blessing as we serve God in the Dakotas.”
The next annual meeting of the Dakota Baptist Convention is set for Oct. 8-9, 2026, in Fargo, N.D.
Colorado Baptists meet despite heavy flooding
PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colo. — “The future of church multiplication in Colorado is sitting in our pews,” was one of several pithy and profound statements made by speakers during the 69th annual meeting of the Colorado Baptist General Convention (CBGC).
The theme — Pursuing God’s Heart — with Jeremiah 3:15 as its spiritual base, drew 144 messengers from 62 of Colorado’s 374 Southern Baptist churches Oct. 12-14.
This was despite significant flooding in the area that led CBGC’s Disaster Relief Director Dennis Belz to go to Vallecito after the meeting to see how Southern Baptists could help with the repair of up to 150 homes, two of which were completely destroyed.
Pagosa Springs’ damage was limited to two RV parks and 10 of 50 hot springs at a midtown resort and spa.
Executive Director Michael Proud Jr. said camaraderie was just one draw to the annual meeting.
“The unity of the convention as a whole was displayed in the spirit, in the fellowship, and in the fact that people didn’t leave after the sessions,” Proud told Baptist Press. “This is a family. We stay and visit.
“This partnership with regional directors has really united the churches of the convention,” Proud continued. “The churches are the winners because they’re partnering together and they’re supporting one another in ways they haven’t before.”
Colorado’s annual meeting, which opened Monday afternoon with a pastors’ conference and women’s gathering, gathered steam with a barbecued meal — five kinds of meat — and bluegrass music.
Clarity came when Mark Hallock, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Englewood, spoke on the attributes of God’s heart: It is compassionately attentive, mercifully confronting, powerfully transforming, perfectly holy and abundantly gracious.
“We cannot lead people to holiness if we aren’t pursuing holiness ourselves,” Hallock preached. “The greatest gift we can give people is our personal holiness, that we are as dependent on the grace of God to live the Christian life as we were to receive it.”
Routine business included approving the 2026 budget, clarifying changes to the Constitution and Bylaws, electing officers and recognizing individuals for their service.
Also included was a panel discussion showing that many college students want to find “the truth;” a panel on how to develop a church-planting mindset within a church; and video and discussion on a church “on life support” that now sees 62 attending Sunday morning worship.
A $2,457,576 budget for 2026 was approved, down $62,286 from $2,395,290 in 2025. This includes $2,032,001 in Cooperative Program (CP) giving from Colorado’s Southern Baptist churches — down $84,106 from 2025 — plus $258,834 from Colorado associations, $84,000 in lease income and $50,000 from the North American Mission Board (NAMB).
For the fourth year, 30% of CP giving from churches is sent to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee for global disbursement.
“Thirty-four percent of the budget is returned to the associations,” Proud said. “In total, the CBGC operates on just 19% for administrative costs and overhead expenses.
“It is our greatest desire to return as many resources as possible for missions and ministry so more people can be reached with the gospel,” the executive director continued. “We are continually asking how we can do more with less.”
President Zack Thurmond, pastor of Overland Church in Fort Collins, First Vice President Pao Thao, pastor of First Hmong Baptist Church in Denver suburb Broomfield, and Lee Hall Sr., pastor of Grace Christian Center in Denver and author of “Pray or Become Prey,” all were elected unanimously by acclamation, as was Kelly Gandy, who was reelected secretary. Gandy is a staff member at Cross Fellowship Church in Colorado Springs.
Steve Veteto received a standing ovation when he was awarded a plaque of appreciation for 25 years of “faithful service” (based on 2 Timothy 2:15) as director of Gateway Seminary’s Rocky Mountain Campus. He plans to retire next July, when he completes his 25th year.
Several Rocky Mountain Campus graduates credited Veteto with getting them to start and then complete seminary. Of the more than 120 graduates from the Rocky Mountain Campus, at least 100 are still serving in Colorado, and one now serves in Ethiopia, Veteto said.
Rick Ackerman, CGBC’s director of convention strategies, recently announced his resignation to return to the pastorate after four years of service. It was Ackerman who worked with Proud to develop the state convention’s regional directors. Proud presented Ackerman with a plaque of appreciation and a warm hug that illustrated the two men’s close working relationship.
Proud then announced Frank Cornelius was hired by the Executive Board as the incoming director of convention strategies. Cornelius has served NAMB for 25 years, most recently with a renewed focus on church planting. He has served in Colorado for over 25 years, 14 of those years as planter development team leader.
Outgoing President Greg Teel and outgoing First Vice President Jack Jarrett were recognized for their service. Teel, pastor of Delta Baptist Church on the Western Slope, and Jarrett, pastor of Garden Ranch Baptist Church in Colorado Springs, decided to back away from convention leadership for health reasons, Proud said.
Communications Director Chimmoua Lee recently resigned for family reasons, Proud added.
In the final sermon of Colorado’s annual meeting, Buddy Sampson, pastor of Overland Church in Durango, spoke about proclaiming God’s heart.
“You can’t argue someone into heaven, but you can bring him to the door and let the Holy Spirit open it,” Sampson preached. “Lead the people through the Bible to the heart of God. … Seeing who He is and what He has done leads to Jesus being worshipped.”
The next annual meeting of the Colorado Baptist General Convention is set for Oct. 12-13, 2026, at missions-active Applewood Baptist Church in Wheat Ridge, a Denver suburb.
Applewood was selected because it showcases for the 70th annual meeting what Southern Baptists do together in missions, Proud told his listeners, and “how Colorado has touched the nations.”
Several SBC leaders have put the date on their calendar, Colorado’s executive director noted, including Jeff Iorg, Kevin Ezell and Todd Lafferty, the International Mission Board’s first vice president.
(EDITOR’S NOTE — Karen L. Willoughby is a national correspondent for Baptist Press.)
