A Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Missions and Ministry budget of more than $16 million was adopted June 19 during CBF’s General Assembly in Jacksonville, Fla.
The $16,118,827 spending plan for 2026-2027 is close to the previous year’s budget and supports ethnic and racial diversity initiatives, resources for congregations, grant-supported disaster-response training, CBF growth and other initiatives.
Juan Garcia (CBF photo)
“It is a document of conviction,” Past Moderator Juan Garcia said during the General Assembly work session. “Every line reflects our belief that the Fellowship is called not to timid maintenance, but to courageous, spirit-led action.”
Grant commitments and donations from churches and individuals enabled the Fellowship to maintain revenue and spending at levels similar to the previous budget of $16,153,529 budget.
“This budget embodies our commitment to invite churches and individuals to join us in transforming God’s world, working together as a global community to spread good news, justice and hope through impactful ministries, missions and resources,” Garcia said.
Outgoing CBF Moderator Tanya Parks challenged individuals and congregations to continue expanding CBF’s “big tent” welcoming spirit to more marginalized people, to increase support for field personnel and to ensure women called to ministry have places to serve.
Parks is a former Slovakia-based field personnel who currently serves as co-pastor of University Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, La.
“There are still many spaces where some of our brothers and sisters do not feel welcomed, do not feel loved and do not feel safe,” she said. “How can you advocate within your churches and regions to create spaces of belonging for all?”
One way is to give to the Offering for Global Missions, she said. “This kind of full-time, long-term presence is vital to live out our mission around the world. Will you advocate in your churches for the support and the growth of our field personnel?”
She challenged churches on the issue of women in ministry, noting that 10% of CBF-affiliated congregations have women as senior pastors. “We celebrate that, but that’s not enough. Let’s double that in the next two years,” she urged.
Jason Callahan (CBF communications photo)
Incoming Moderator Jason Callahan opened with a challenge of his own — to “dream bigger, trust deeper.”
“As we boldly move forward into God’s land of promise, our marching orders are clear: Be strong, be courageous and be humble. What does boldness mean to me? Boldness means doing what others believe is impossible. It means redefining what success looks like according to God’s kingdom rather than the world’s standards.”
Callahan, who recently relocated to Oklahoma City from Memphis, Tenn., has served on the CBF Governing Board and chaired its Finance Committee. He is a business consultant and his wife, Emily, is president of Feed the Children.
Setting goals is much easier than accomplishing them, Callahan said. “To achieve what may seem impossible, we must be intentional. We must prioritize and focus on those two or three initiatives that have the greatest impact on our mission.”
Participants also elected Melissa Hatfield, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Mo., as moderator-elect and new members to seven governance committees, including:
Governing Board
- Ronald Oliver, a member of St. Matthews Baptist Church, Louisville, Ky.
- Alan Rudnick, senior minister of DeWitt Community Church in DeWitt, N.Y.
- Wayne Weathers, senior pastor of Vision of Hope Baptist Church in Jenkintown, Penn.
- Amy Jacober, teaching pastor of Harbor Church in Phoenix, Ariz.
- Dick Bodenhamer, a member of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala.
- Lance Mayes, associate pastor of community engagement at Woodland Church in San Antonio, Texas.
Missions Council
- Georgia Smith, member of University Baptist Church in Baltimore, Md.
- Janie Wallace, member of Ball Camp Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tenn.
- Jo Kirkendall, retired health care chaplain in Biloxi, Miss.
- Kris Aaron, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Bristol, Va.
- Alaina Caridi, member of Bayshore Baptist Church in Tampa, Fla.
Ministries Council
- Kim Cook, member of Citizens Church in Chattanooga, Tenn.
- Matthew Hensley, associate pastor of First Baptist Church in Richmond, Va.
- D. McDonald, co-pastor of Emmaus Way Fellowship in Johnson City, Tenn.
- Chris Thomas, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Wilson, N.C.
- Scott Capshaw, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Tahoe City, Calif.
- Naomi Black-Bass, minister to youth and families at Knollwood Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Nominating Committee
- Taylor Mason, director of communications and graphic design at CBF of Florida and the Caribbean Islands, Santa Rosa, Calif.
- Leigh Anne Armstrong, chaplain, First Baptist Church in Auburn, Ala.
- Stephen Gray, associate pastor of Westwood Baptist Church in Springfield, Va.
- Kevin Gardner Sinclair, pastor of Broadway Baptist Church, Louisville, Ky.
- Brittany Stillwell, associate pastor of Second Baptist Church in Little Rock, Ark.
- Noah Angel, pastor of Familia Christiana Internacional, Jefferson City, Mo.
Church Benefits Board
- Juan L. Garcia, pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista in Newport News, Va.
- Rhonda Kershner, member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Katonah, N.Y.
- Amy McClure, associate pastor for children, senior adults and pastoral care at First Baptist Church on Fifth in Winston Salem, N.C.
- Chris Sanders, member of Ridgewood Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky.
CBF Foundation Board
- James Preston, lay leader at First Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Mo.
Council on Endorsement
- Dewey Bland, corrections chaplain with the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Bryan, Texas.
- Melody Kidd, VA chaplain and pastor of Emmanuel Community Church in Tarpon Springs, Fla.
- Elizabeth Denham Thompson, pastoral counselor with Eremos Consulting Group in Littleton, Colo.