WINSTON SALEM, N.C. — Lines of people donning yellow shirts formed a steady stream marching up to Calvary Baptist Church, like a line of ants on a mission, where Baptists on Mission (BOM) hosted its annual missions conference on March 14-15. 

For the second consecutive year, the conference was centered around the theme, “Living Sent: Every Christian Is a Missionary,” inspired by John 20:21, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

“A core belief of Baptists on Mission is that every Christian is called, gifted and sent,” said Richard Brunson, executive director of BOM. “God calls us to serve Him by serving others in His name, God has gifted Christians with unique gifts He wants us to use for His glory, and God has sent you, God is a sending God.” 

Over 1,500 people gathered to enjoy numerous breakouts, worship led by singer/songwriter Michael O’Brien and messages from speakers from around the country. The weekend provided the opportunity to learn more about ongoing missions efforts, explore new ways to support them and reunite with friends they’ve served with over the years. 

Jennifer Rothschild, speaker and author of the book “Lessons I Learned in the Dark,” kicked off the weekend by using her story of being diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition, leaving her completely blind, to share three points from 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 on how the thorns God has allowed in our lives are actually tools that help in living sent when we feel like we’re stuck.

“Your one precious life is so valuable, don’t live stuck,” said Rothschild. “You live sent through the sovereignty of God, you live sent through the sufficiency of grace and you live sent as you are fully surrendered for the good of others and the glory of God.”

Later in the evening, author Lee Strobel, known for “The Case for Christ,” shared his story of conversion from atheism to faith in Christ. Strobel presented a framework of the historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus in order that attendees may always be able to give an answer to those who doubt.

“In light of this avalanche of evidence that points to the truth of Christianity, I realized it would take more faith to maintain my atheism than to become a Christian,” said Strobel of his initial two-year research journey into Christianity. 

As he closed his message, Strobel prayed for attendees that the Lord would give them an opportunity to share their story with someone else and help them to live sent where they are. 

Saturday morning saw Sheila Walsh, author and television host, speak on the importance of living sent no matter the circumstances around us. Using the parable of the talents from Matthew 25, Walsh urged attendees to use the gifts God has given them for His glory.

“It’s what you do with what God has given you,” said Walsh. “Heaven misses nothing. What we do with what God has given us will impact how we live eternally.”

Kyle Idleman, senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky., also spoke on Saturday, discussing the example of Jesus’ ministry on earth as He changed the world one person at a time. Idleman pointed out that following Jesus’ example doesn’t mean we are to abandon ministry strategies that help the mission, but rather we never let the complexity of ministry be an excuse for not loving someone. 

“This is the living sent rhythm that we see in the Gospels: Jesus saw, Jesus had compassion and Jesus did something about it,” said Idleman. 

In the final plenary session, Tom Richter, pastor of First Baptist Church in Cullman, Ala., challenged attendees to consider the cost and joy of following Jesus. “We need not be naive about the cost of missions, the cost of following Jesus, but we should celebrate that it leads us to that all-in posture of great joy,” said Richter. 

Richter emphasized the importance of being fully committed to the mission, sharing this quote he found with the crowd: “The hardest thing in the world is being 99% committed to something. Compared to that, 100% is easy.”

“I am not saying living sent is easy, what I’m saying is compared to 99% living sent, all in is easy,” said Richter. 

To close the conference, Anne Graham Lotz, founder of AnGeL Ministries, shared her personal conviction that living with an enlarged heart for the gospel is essential for every believer. Lotz spoke from Romans 1, laying out three characteristics of an enlarged heart for the gospel: They will be conscious of God’s call to the person of Jesus Christ, convinced of God’s compassion and confident in God’s cross. 

“God’s compassion is for the whole world,” she said. “We must stay informed, intercede and get involved.”

Lotz also shared her thanks for the work BOM has done in western N.C. following the devastation of Hurricane Helene. She said she still considers western N.C. home after relocating to Raleigh and felt the loss many were going through from a distance. She read a portion of a prayer she had written out on paper for those affected and for the many volunteers serving after the hurricane. 

“I want to thank you for being an answer to that prayer and the prayers of many other people that are out there,” said Lotz. “And I hope if nothing else you can hear heaven’s applause — the angels are rejoicing to see that you’re helping in Jesus’ name.”  

Throughout the conference, BOM shared updates on its ongoing efforts to aid in rebuilding following Hurricane Helene, and the offering collected during the conference will benefit those efforts, with 100% of donations going directly to Helene relief.

Next year’s missions conference will be held April 10-11, 2026 at Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C. To learn more about opportunities to serve with Baptists on Mission, visit baptistsonmission.org.