“You’re going to learn something today!” Those were my father’s favorite words whenever we rode together in his work truck. On Sundays, Jerry Day was a faithful deacon and Sunday school teacher. But during the work week, he spent his days as a technician in the HVAC industry.

Broken furnaces and air-conditioners pay no mind to clocks and calendars, so there were many Saturdays when my father had to make a service call to a desperate homeowner who was freezing or sweating. Those were the typical times when I rode along as his helper for the day. With a beaming smile, this blue-collar dad was always excited to help his son learn a new concept or skill in the trade that he loved.

As I made the nine-hour trek from Pennsylvania to Indianapolis for the 2024 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), I never could have imagined what a dynamic learning experience it would turn out to be. Arriving at the Indiana Convention Center as a first-time messenger to the SBC annual meeting, it was like being a teenage helper all over again— with each hour revealing new experiences and exciting knowledge. Four days later, I left the convention overflowing with insights and inspiration. What did I learn from this national gathering, and why am I genuinely optimistic about our future?

The mission is still the main thing.

From the first song to the final gavel, the main stage overflowed with songs, sermons, and shared reports that echoed a singular focus: The Great Commission. Southern Baptists are known to be “Great Commission Baptists,” and this year’s convention proved that gospel proclamation pulses through this denomination at every level. Jeff Iorg’s first address as the new president/CEO of the Executive Committee was met with overwhelming applause when he declared that “…the mission matters most.” We can rejoice that reaching people who are far from God is still the main thing in the SBC.

Nothing is more exciting than kingdom advancement.

One of the most energizing moments of the convention unfolded when 83 new missionaries were commissioned to global outreach through the International Mission Board. Closer to home, the North American Mission Board reported that 35 out of 41 state conventions experienced a surge in baptisms, with our own state convention (PA/South Jersey) leading the way with a 61% increase since 2022. In today’s secular world, it is easy to become discouraged by the atmosphere of lostness that clouds the culture. But the 2024 annual meeting provided tangible reminders that Jesus’ church is still advancing in unstoppable victory (Matthew 16:18).

The truth speaks louder than the noise.

I tell people that the Southern Baptist Convention shares a lot in common with the New York Yankees, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Boston Celtics. When you’re prominent, visible, and successful, there will always be loud scoffers who hate from afar. To be sure, Southern Baptists aren’t perfect. We’re all just rescued sinners this side of heaven. But this year’s convention was characterized by remarkable unity and togetherness. While many media outlets predicted impending doom and explosive conflict over women pastors and sexual abuse prevention, the messengers, remaining courteous over these important matters, decided to rally around the primary things that unite us, rather than fight over the secondary issues that might divide us.

Red is the color that matters most.

As a first-time attendee, I was fascinated by the number of specialty meetings where convention-goers gathered for food, friendships, and ministry fuel. Across four days, dedicated gatherings were held for African American, Hispanic, Asian, Filipino, Brazilian, and Burmese church leaders, just to name a few. In addition, there were countless receptions based on common experiences or mutual interests like SBC colleges and seminaries, military service, church polity perspectives, and even homeschooling. I watched as the annual meeting unfolded like a large, colorful quilt. But with all the diversity, it was clear that the red thread of Jesus’ salvation was the unifying force holding all the fabric together.

Cooperation is the secret recipe for continued success.

When my six children are together, it takes a minor miracle just to get them to agree on a restaurant. How could nearly 50,000 different churches ever agree on anything? It seems impossible, yet Southern Baptists remain united in the Cooperative Program. In Indianapolis, SBC leaders announced that since 1925, Southern Baptists have given over 20 billion dollars to share the message of Jesus around the world. This was a tremendous reminder that cooperation (large and small) is at the core of ministry effectiveness and gospel advance. Here in Lancaster County, one Amish farmer can cut a board, but one hundred Amish farmers can raise a barn. This year’s Annual Meeting in Indianapolis taught me that when Southern Baptists cooperate, they can change the world.

Many years have passed since I carried my father’s tool pouch and accompanied him on those Saturday service calls. He went to heaven at the end of 2019, but the valuable lessons he left behind about hard work and humble service still ring true in my life and ministry. I might not be sitting beside him in a work truck anymore, but the truth is I’m still learning. Attending the annual meeting in Indianapolis taught me that there are still many more exciting things to discover, and when it comes to the Southern Baptist Convention, I’m listening and leaning forward with optimism.