By Allan Eakin, Associate Editor
The 2025 annual meeting of the Baptist Missionary Association of America (BMAA) will take place Tuesday through Thursday, April 22–24, at Pathway Baptist Church in Waxahachie, Texas. This gathering marks the conclusion of 75 years of associational ministry among BMAA churches.
Churches are encouraged to register online at bmaamerica.org/nationalmeeting and contribute to the Meeting and Minute Fund in advance of the meeting. This fund helps cover essential meeting expenses and ensures the preservation of minutes as a permanent record. Messengers unable to register online may do so in person at designated times during the meeting. The first registration opportunity will be Tuesday, April 22, from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. A full schedule is included in this issue of the Baptist Trumpet (see page 12).
On Monday, April 21, the BMA Theological Seminary will host a pre-associational event at Topgolf Dallas from 1 to 4 p.m. The gathering will feature food, golf and a time of dialogue with BMA pastors and church leaders about emerging needs and challenges in congregational and pastoral leadership. The event is free, but registration is required by emailing the seminary president’s office at president@bmats.edu.
The exhibition area will open Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m. and remain available throughout the meeting. Departments, ministries and vendors will provide displays and information about their services. This is a great opportunity for attendees to connect with various facets of BMAA ministry.
The meeting will officially open Tuesday night with a special celebration of 75 years of global missions, a time of worship and the first business session. During the worship service, BMAA President Charles Johnson will bring the President’s Message.
Wednesday will be filled with valuable sessions and gatherings, including a New Pastors’ Orientation, committee meetings, the National Brotherhood Meeting and the WMA Women’s Conference. The WMA conference will be held at Heritage Baptist Church (1000 Butcher Road), just 10 minutes from Pathway Baptist. Registration begins at 8 a.m., the conference starts at 8:30 a.m., and a luncheon will follow at noon.
On Wednesday morning, the Pastor’s Conference — sponsored by Healthy Church Solutions — will take place at Pathway Baptist Church. Dr. Wayne Whiteside will be the speaker. Immediately following this main session, attendees can participate in 1 of 12 breakout sessions covering various ministry topics. Full details are available at baptisttrumpet.com/BMAA2025.
The afternoon will include the second business session and reports from department directors, followed by the Legacy Missionary Celebration and a time of missionary commissioning. The Legacy Missionary families being recognized during the service include the late Harold & Lois Morris, along with the Robert Isaacs and James Crews families.
Wednesday evening will feature another worship session, during which Dr. Gary O’Neal, pastor of Oak Park Baptist Church in Little Rock, will bring the annual message. Oak Park’s worship team will lead in worship. Afterward, the third business session will be held.
Thirty minutes after the session concludes, the Late-Night Preaching Lab will gather in the student center of Pathway Baptist Church for a lecture titled “The Shepherd’s Heart: A Call to Care and Counsel” by Adam Thomas. This will be followed by a panel discussion aimed at providing encouragement and resources for pastors navigating the complex field of counseling and therapy.
If needed, a final business session will take place Thursday morning.
The final meeting schedule can be found on page 12 of this issue. Printed copies will also be available at the registration area and the Baptist Trumpet booth in the exhibition area. Written and video reports from department directors, along with the Reports & Recommendations Booklet, are available online at baptisttrumpet.com/BMAA2025.
For those unable to attend in person, the evening worship services and the Legacy Missionary Celebration will be live-streamed at bmaamerica.org/nationalmeeting.
The Baptist Trumpet is your go-to source for news and updates related to the BMA of America National Meeting. We are your connection to the mission by keeping you informed, inspired and involved. We’ll see you in Waxahachie!
