Have you heard the news?
By Dr. Steve Parr

The Georgia Baptist Convention Staff has undergone a realignment to position the staff to fulfill the vision of the Five Smooth Stones. I have been honored to be engaged in working with our Executive Director, Dr.J. Robert White, and our executive leadership to seek the best ways to move the staff in this new direction. Dr. White has asked me to serve in a new role which I started about three weeks ago but the official announcement came today before the Executive Committee. I will be serving as the V.P. of Staff Coordination & Development with responsibilities of working with all of our staff to bring them into alignment with the new vision.  The new vision is as follows:

The staff of the Georgia Baptist Convention seeks to reduce lostness by partnering with Baptists to focus on spiritual renewal that results in Kingdom generosity, church revitalization, church planting, and authentic evangelism.

The five points in bold lettering are referred to as the Five Smooth Stones.

I am glad to announce that Joel Southerland, has been named the Specialist in Evangelism Ministries. He is a gifted leader and has been integral in getting our staff better connected through the web and social media sources.

You will also want to be aware of some other exciting changes. Marc Merritt will be moving into Church-Minister Relations to provide leadership in churches that struggle and need a steady hand whether in conflict or seeking to become more healthy. Marc has been a great asset to the Evangelism Team and we are glad that his influence will be expanded in his new role.

Jonathan Jordan will be joining the Evangelism Team moving from Discipleship Ministries and will bring many years of experience and success in leading outreach and team evangelism through Sunday Schools and Small Groups.  Evangelist, Scott Smith, from Knoxville, Tennessee will also be joining the team in October and will add strength to events, revival planning, and evangelistic preaching. You will get to know these men better through future blogs and you will continue to hear from me on occasion as I stay engaged in local church equipping and consultation.

Pray for each of us as we take on new challenges and seek to make a difference in the assignments that God has so graciously called us to fulfill.