DALLAS (BP) — Greg Perkins, president of the National African American Fellowship (NAAF) of about 4,000 Southern Baptist churches, reached back to the first century to encourage Southern Baptists to choose Jesus over the U.S. flag.

“Every day we stand at a crossroads between what’s easy and what’s right, what’s popular and what’s holy, what’s safe and what is sacred,” Perkins said, prefacing his sermon from Matthew 27:16-22 at the NAAF George Liele Missions Banquet on June 9 in Dallas. “Choice is God’s gift to us, but it is also our greatest responsibility.”

The text pits good against evil, giving the crowd the choice of releasing from prison the notorious criminal Barabbas or Jesus. But the chief priests persuaded the crowd to choose Barabbas, and have Jesus executed for the leaders’ personal gain.

In his sermon titled “Give me Barabbas,” the lead pastor of The View Church in Menifee, Calif., encouraged Christians to choose Jesus.

“Our text this evening presents us with a profound clash between divine innocence and human injustice where the crowd, swayed by religious leaders and political fear, chooses Barabbas, a known insurrectionist, even though Jesus was the embodiment of truth and peace,” Perkins said. “The scene reflects the recurring historical moment where systems, driven by fear of disruption, choose preservation of power over prophetic truth.”

Like many prophetic voices, Jesus was criminalized not because He was guilty of a crime, Perkins said, but because He threatened “the religious political alliance” of “a few at the expense of the many.”

The text “warns when comfort, when nationalism and control guide our choices,” Perkins preached, “we are crucifying Christ all over again.”

Perkins’ sermon capped two days of NAAF events in advance of the 2025 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, including the NAAF annual worship service on June 8 at Singing Hills Baptist Church and the NAAF annual business meeting on June 9 at the downtown Omni Hotel.

NAAF recognized four leaders with special awards, one at the Sunday worship service and three at the banquet.

In his sermon, Perkins said history is full of examples of prophetic voices that were indicted, discredited and silenced in efforts to preserve comfort, citing the prophets Jeremiah, Amos, Elijah and John the Baptist. He mentioned civil rights and justice warriors Martin Luther King, Fannie Lou Hamer and Howard Thurman.

“Our great country has a history of pushing aside the prophets, especially when their voice challenges comfort and calls for justice for all,” Perkins said. “They praised Dr. King after his death but while he lived, he was called a troublemaker and an instigator.

“Fannie Lou Hamer, a bold woman of faith who stood up and said, ‘I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired’ — not just about politics, but about people who claim Christ yet deny that all bear the imago Dei. ‘Give Me Barabbas.’”

The aforementioned leaders were not woke, radical or bitter, Perkins said. They didn’t have an axe to grind. Rather, they were righteous, biblical people trying to build up the Church.

“James Cone (“The Cross and the Lynching Tree”) reminds us Jesus was lynched, not unlike Black bodies who hung from trees,” Perkins said, “not because of crimes, but because of fear that the dominant power structure was either being weakened or overturned.”

Perkins references N.T. Wright, who posits that the crowd’s actions were rooted in fear, a fear that change will destabilize comfort, such that the crowd’s choice is not just about Barabbas; it’s about rejecting a Messiah who refuses to wield power like the world.

We are living in a Barabbas moment today, Perkins said, where many choose Barabbas because it’s easy.

“There’s a choice between the Jesus of the Bible and the idol of nationalism. ‘Give me Barabbas!’” he said, emphasizing the first century response. “The choice between the crucified Christ and the crown caricature, between justice for the least or access only to the elite.”

The church has often chosen Barabbas, Perkins said, because such a choice protects power and position.

“Barabbas makes sure that when you walk into an SBC meeting, you’re not a poor old pariah, because everybody wants fringe,” Perkins said. “Barabbas promises to keep the status quo. Barabbas lets us hold a Bible in one hand and a flag in the other, and never ask which one we really worship.”

Perkins reminded worshippers of NAAF’s role in the SBC in introducing a call and response, a role that raises awareness and works constructively toward unity, while helping the SBC understand the unique realities African American churches face amid today’s political climate.

“And though some may see this as divisive and woke,” Perkins said, “true beloved community welcomes different views that still center on Christ. And can I tell you something? I’m woke every day. When I wake up in the morning I’m woke. When I walk down the street, I’m still woke.

“When I put my (key) in my car’s ignition, I’m woke. Are you woke?”

“Yeah!” the crowd responded.

He activated worshipers in a call and response.

“I choose Jesus. I choose Jesus. I choose Jesus,” worshippers called out.

Business meeting

In a business meeting on Tuesday afternoon, June 9, at the Omni Hotel, NAAF affirmed 2025-2026 officers, as well as leaders of the First Ladies Network of pastors’ wives, gave updates on NAAF ministries including Vision 2030 and the NAAF Global Initiative in partnership with the International Mission Board (IMB) and World Vision, and introduced the Fellows Program, a new mentorship program for pastors.

The Fellows Program, taking applications at naaftogether.org/fellows is designed to mentor individuals exploring a call to ministry in African American communities.

Tyrone Barnette, pastor of Peace Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga., is leading the program that is identifying seminary graduates to enroll in the program, as well as pastors to serve as mentors. Barnett commended the work the SBC already does to prepare pastors through Lifeway Christian Resources, the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and the International Mission Board, but said African American communities are distinctive.

“We want to make sure that we are helping our young up and coming leaders not to discount what the Black church is,” Barnette said, “and what it has to offer to the kingdom of God.”

Officers, most of them returning for a second term, are president Perkins, vice president Jerome Coleman, senior pastor of First Baptist Church Crestmont, Willow Grove, Pa.; interim treasurer John Rollins, pastor of Simeon Baptist Church in Antioch, Tenn., returns as treasurer; and parliamentarian Torion Bridges, pastor of Commonwealth of Faith Church, Redford Township, Mich.

Regional directors are eastern region, Horacio Hall, lead pastor, Faith Way Community Fellowship, Virginia Beach, Va.; central region, Reginald Fletcher, pastor, Living Word Baptist Church, Indianapolis, Ind.; southwest region, Steven Beckham, senior pastor, First Community Antioch Baptist Church, Lutcher, La.; western region, Kenneth Curry Jr., pastor, Friendship Baptist Church, Yorba Linda, Calif.; and Barnette, southern region. The mid-south regional director’s position remains vacant.

Affirmed to serve in at-large positions are Adron Robinson, pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Country Club Hills, Ill.; Kim Hardy, an author and Bible teacher; Kevin Moss, pastor of Antioch Fellowship Baptist Church in Spencer, Okla.; Brian Kennedy, senior pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Ontario, Calif.; Jawane Hilton, pastor of Brister Baptist Church, Carson, Calif.; John Moreland, senior pastor, Denver Christian Bible Church, Denver, Colo.; Frank Williams, pastor, Wake Eden Community Church and Bronx Baptist Church, New York; and Rodney Jackson, senior pastor, The Movement Church, Toledo, Ohio.

Affirmed to head the First Ladies Network are leader Pam Mitchell, wife of NAAF Executive Director Dennis Mitchell; co-leader, Robin Burns; treasurer Peggy Alexander, wife of retired California pastor Lyman Alexander; and secretary Shana Mitchell-Ross.

Under Vision 2030, NAAF is working to increase several key ministry markers by 5% by 2030, including Cooperative Program giving, African American church representation in both long- and short-term IMB missionaries and the number of African American churches.

In its Global Missions Initiative update, NAAF said 43 missionaries have signed up to participate in its George Liele Missions trip to Jamaica June 19-24, an increase from about 30 who took the trip in 2024.

Champion of Justice Award

Dwight McKissic, senior pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, received the Champion of Justice Award celebrating his courage, conviction, faithfulness and compassion in the battle for justice, NAAF president Perkins said in presenting the award that will bear McKissic’s name.

“From this evening forward, what once was the NAAF Champion of Justice Award, will now be known as the Pastor Dwight McKissick Champion of Justice Award,” Perkins said in presenting the award at the NAAF worship service on June 8. “Pastor McKissic, your faithful devotion to preaching the full counsel of Scripture, your unwavering commitment to justice and righteousness, and your visionary leadership inspires us all. May this new title forever reflect the weight of your witness and forever embody the richness of your legacy.”

NAAF Legacy Award

Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, was honored with the Legacy Award for having served as the first — and to date only — African American president of the SBC. McKissic, presenting the award at the George Liele banquet, called Luter’s election not only historic but redemptive.

“In his election, he reminded us that representation matters, and that faith or leadership can rise from any background when God ordains the path,” McKissic said. “Dr. Luter is invested in a future where Christ is exalted and walls are torn down, where the cross unites what history has divided. Dr. Luter, your presence in this fellowship and this denomination has been a gift. Your courage has become our covering. Your legacy has become our launchpad.”

Luter said he will never forget the day he was elected SBC president.

“But that day would not have happened without me standing on shoulders of giants in this convention,” Luter said. “Long before there was a Fred Luter, there was a George McKinley, there was a Eugene Gibson, there was a Sid Smith, there was an E.W. McCall, there was an Emmanuel McCall, there was a Gary Frost, there was a Jay Wells, there was a Dennis Mitchell. All those guys that stood long before I was ever known. And through their blood, sweat, and tears, stood for the right to be a part of this convention.

“And so I want to thank you, President Perkins, for this incredible honor.”

Denominational Servant’s Award

Mark Croston, national director of Black Church Ministries for Lifeway Christian Resources, received NAAF’s first Denominational Servant’s Award, presented by NAAF Vice President Coleman.

Through his leadership at Lifeway, Croston edits several publications and resources that Coleman said “speak the realities that help to shape our ministries in sound doctrine and cultural clarity. He is gracious. He is wise. He is approachable. He speaks truth in love. His life in denominational service reminds us that it’s not just about a position, that it’s about people.” Croston annually convenes the Black Church Leadership and Family Conference at Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina, which draws about 1,000 attendees.

Before joining Lifeway, Croston pastored for 25 years East End Baptist Church in Suffolk, Va., and has encouraged many pastors as they experienced difficulty in ministry, Coleman said in presenting the award.

Trailblazer Award

Jay Wells, a retired Lifeway executive, was honored with the Trailblazer Award, presented by LeRoy Fountain of Louisiana.

Fountain noted Wells’ work in helping establish NAAF, a growth-oriented Sunday School, and Black Church Week, the precursor to Black Church Leadership and Family Conference.

“Jay Wells turned his attention to church planting over 20 years ago,” Fountain said, and “he did so in such a way that he did not allow his daily routine of denominational service to hinder him from the call of God on his life, to plant, to pasture, to nurture a work that still goes on. So we recognize him in this way by calling him a trailblazer.

“Those who blaze trails do not just blaze trails for themselves. They blaze trails that others will follow in days to come.”

Wells was not in attendance, but his pastor John Rollins, who pastors Wells’ former pastorate Simeon Baptist Church that grew from a home prayer study Wells led in 1991, accepted the award in Wells’ absence.

Founder’s Award

Joe Ratliff, the first president of NAAF and the current pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church in Houston, was honored with the Founder’s Award. Unable to attend the banquet, he greeted worshipers at the June 8 annual worship service, when he noted his attendance at the meeting to establish fellowship.

Former NAAF President A.B. Vines, lead pastor of New Seasons Church in Spring Valley Calif., presented the award, commending Ratliff’s community service, more than 25 church plants and the establishment of the Joe Ratliff Lifelong Learning Center.

“His legacy is not a moment captured in time,” Vines said, “but renewed day by day by every disciple, every minister, every church he has empowered.”

Annual worship service

NAAF gathered for its annual worship service on June 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Singing Hills Baptist Church, with Senior Pastor Howard Anderson welcoming the fellowship.

Wayne Chaney, lead pastor of Antioch Church in Long Beach, Calif., delivered the annual sermon from Deuteronomy 34:1-7, “Do You Know What It Is To Be Anointed But Stuck?” He focused on God’s use of divine limitation to direct the lives of Christians, using the example of Moses’ death before Joshua entered the Promised Land.

In a first, The Black Collective participated in the service, led by coordinator Daryl Jones, pastor of The Rock Fellowship Church of Miami. The Black Collective Ensemble, a special choral group composed of vocalists from NAAF, the Southern Baptist National Haitian Fellowship and the North American Ghana Baptist Association, led worship.

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