Orlando | Nearly 20,000 expected messengers and guests began descending on the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando Sunday evening for the 2026 Southern Baptist Convention. The Florida vacation hub promises to draw the largest crowd in decades. The proximity to the Southern Baptist base and theme parks are factors, but more so the anticipated vote on the proposed “Truth and Unity Amendment” defining the pastorate as male-only in the SBC Constitution.
Milk glass mugs | Photo courtesy Midwestern Seminary
The mood in the mammoth convention center Sunday did not reflect the tension that is expected once business sessions begin on Tuesday. Hugs, laughs, and casual conversation between friends from across SBC life marked the first day on site.
Most headed straight into the exhibit hall to walk the rows of more than 300 exhibitors where messengers exchanged contact info for “swag.” IMB T-shirts and Midwestern Seminary state monikered milk glass mugs were the early hot items.
Near the middle of the exhibit hall, IBSA Executive Director Scott Foshie (far right in photo below) was interviewed at the Cooperative Program exhibit, speaking about how he is seeing cooperation and partnership growing across the state. This is Foshie’s first convention in his new capacity leading Illinois Baptists. His term as trustee for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) ends on Wednesday. Bolingbook pastor Bruce Kirk will be nominated as Illinois representative to the ERLC this week.
Two pastors from Florida preached in the evening session of the Pastors’ Conference. Stephen Rummage preached from John 17 and Herb Reavis from Luke 23, and worship from the thousands in the room rang out.
The early atmosphere has more resemblance to a family reunion than to the world’s largest deliberative body, but that will change as business begins Tuesday. Messengers are expected to vote on at least 11 resolutions, which were released last week, a new SBC president, and an amendment to the SBC constitution announced by Southern Seminary President Al Mohler, which would limit the office of pastor/elder/overseer in cooperating churches, as well as certain pastoral functions, to males. The debate is still mostly online, but will move to the floor soon.
More than 240 Illinois Baptists are expected to participate in the four days of conference and business sessions in Florida.
–Ben Jones in Orlando