By Jeff Herring, Executive Editor • Baptist Trumpet
There’s something refreshing about watching our BMA family gather — the hugs, the laughter, the music, the Scriptures opened, the stories shared. Celebration 2025, held Nov. 18–20 at The Chateau on the Lake in Branson, captured all of that and more. With 360 registered guests and an estimated 400 in attendance — the largest crowd in several years — the week was marked by joy, depth and the unmistakable sense of being together in the Lord.
This year, John and I were in attendance representing the Baptist Trumpet. It was a blessing to visit with churches and ministries, answer questions and remind our BMA family that the Trumpet exists to serve as “Your Connection to the Mission” — keeping you informed, inspired and involved. We were grateful for the many meaningful conversations and connections we made during the conference.
The conference opened Tuesday evening with an uplifting concert by Michael Booth, whose heartfelt music helped set a tone of gratitude and expectation. During the brief break that followed, attendees visited the vendor area, reconnecting with ministries from across the BMA before gathering again for the first worship service. Neil Dumas and David Attebery led with their usual charm, humor and talent, preparing hearts for David Dickson’s opening message.
A deeply meaningful moment came at the close of that first worship service when Jerry Kidd, attending with his wife, Sue, faithfully persevered through current health challenges to be present, especially because Bro. David, a former missionary himself, was preaching. Though he was unable to walk to the front, the team brought him a microphone so he could close the service in prayer. His tender, steady words carried the weight of decades of faithful service to our Lord and left a lasting impression on many in the room.
Along with the worship and teaching, Yalanda Merrell and Donny Parrish kept the atmosphere light throughout the week as they served together as MCs. Their playful banter quickly became a familiar source of laughter — especially as Yalanda repeatedly brought out “the bag” and reminded Donny of his promise to put on whatever was inside. One of the most memorable moments came when the mystery items turned out to be wigs styled to recreate an old photo of Donny in Moscow’s Red Square — long hair and all. Moments like these highlighted the warm, family feel of the conference — lighthearted, unpretentious and full of shared joy.
Morning came quickly on Wednesday, and it began with plenty of laughter as Dennis Swanberg shared encouragement and comedy. After a short break that allowed attendees to visit the vendor displays again, we were treated to music from the CBC Singers, CBC Chamber Choir and CBC Worship Choir, whose songs lifted hearts and created a beautiful transition into the second worship service of the conference. Neil and David led the congregation in praise before Bro. David delivered his next message.
Throughout the conference, Bro. David built a three-part series around one verb, one noun and one adjective — each a single word loaded with meaning. He began with “Redeemed,” drawing from the book of Exodus to show that true redemption only makes sense to those who understand the weight of slavery. Israel’s bondage pictured our own captivity to sin, and the Passover pointed forward to Christ, our Redeemer who leads us out of bondage and into freedom.
His second message centered on “Grace,” a word he urged us not to let become too familiar. Though it appears sparingly in the Old Testament, its evidence fills the pages of Scripture in God’s steadfast love and mercy — and shines fully in the New Testament through Christ and the testimony of Paul. Grace is not just how we begin the Christian life, he reminded us, but the strength that sustains us daily.
He concluded with “Holy,” taking us into Isaiah’s vision of the Lord high and lifted up. True worship begins with seeing God’s holiness and our own need for cleansing. Like Isaiah, those who encounter the holiness of God respond with humility, surrender and the willingness to say, “Here am I, send me.”
Between sessions, attendees spent time reconnecting and browsing the vendor area, where all national departments were represented: BMA Global (Missions) along with its divisions — Missionary Care, Healthy Church Solutions and Short-Term Missions — as well as BMA Financial, Lifeword, Baptist Publishing House, BMA Theological Seminary and Daniel Springs Camp. Central Baptist College was also present, represented by President Dr. Jeremy Langley and Vice President for Advancement Duffy Guyton, along with auxiliary ministries such as EIM, Water for Christ and Just the Crumbs.
After a rich morning of worship and fellowship, the afternoon offered space to rest, explore Branson or attend the optional Sight & Sound production of David. That evening, the entire Celebration group enjoyed a night of music and lighthearted fun at Presleys’ Country Jubilee, included with registration and loved by many.
One of the most inspiring moments came when the Celebration team shared a pressing need for additional funds for BMMI (Baptist Medical Missions International) and invited the conference family to respond. The goal was $10,000 — but the generosity of those in attendance pushed the total to $15,000. The room erupted in gratitude, a tangible reminder of how God works through the shared commitment of His people.
As the conference closed on Thursday morning with a final time of worship and teaching, the atmosphere felt both full and expectant — full from shared joy and encouragement, and expectant about what lies ahead.
Looking Ahead to Celebration 2026
Before everyone headed home, the team announced that next year’s Celebration Conference will return to The Chateau on the Lake on Nov. 3–5, 2026. Since then, additional details have been confirmed: Todd West will serve as the featured speaker, and Neil Dumas and David Attebery will return to lead worship. Registration will also include tickets to see The Haygoods, one of Branson’s most popular musical shows — another opportunity for shared fun and fellowship.
Lifeword Project Manager and Media Coordinator Emily Brantley expressed her heart for the event, saying, “Celebration is for everyone. We put these conferences on to encourage, strengthen and bless the people of the BMA.”Her hope — and ours — is that even more people will make plans to attend in 2026.
For those who came to Celebration 2025, that mission was accomplished — and many are already planning to return. And for anyone wondering whether they “fit” this conference, Emily offers a simple, heartfelt invitation: “Come and see. You’re never too young, too old or too new to the BMA family to be encouraged by what God does when we gather.” And after all we experienced together in 2025, we’re already looking forward to gathering again.
