I am often drawn to Paul’s words in Philippians 1:3-5 (NKJV): “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now” because, like Paul, I find myself being sometimes overcome with the goodness of God as His love is displayed through His people.

Over the past couple of days, I’ve had the privilege of seeing many pastors and leaders from across our great state. I always look forward to the State Board of Missions trustees’ quarterly meetings because I have the opportunity to reconnect with friends I haven’t seen lately as well as making new acquaintances and relationships with pastors and ministry leaders.

Certainly, other state conventions across the Southern Baptist Convention do a wonderful job of making much of Jesus and have great leaders. I’m honored to partner with our Southern Baptist brothers and sisters from across the country and literally around the globe. But can I just say (possibly with some slight bias) that Alabama Baptists are second to none! This is true in generosity, service, caring, preaching, leading and a host of other Biblical qualities that magnify our Lord.

Alabama Baptists continue to be the pacesetting state convention in Cooperative Program giving. (Football isn’t the only thing our state excels at!) I, for one, do not take that fact for granted. There are many reasons for that statistic, but none of those reasons are because we are the most affluent or most numerous. Like you, I would seek to only give glory to the One who is worthy of our praise – Christ. I rejoice with you in the fact that we are able to participate together in the greatest opportunity a person can have – fulfilling our Lord’s command to go and make disciples!

Thank you, Alabama Baptists, for the privilege of serving as one of your state missionaries. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for sacrificially giving so that more may hear the Gospel, more may be ministered to in their times of need, and that the name of Jesus would be magnified in our state and to the uttermost parts of the world.

State Missionary Jay Stewart serves as director of Cooperative Program & Church Financial Resources. He may be contacted at 1-800-264-1225, ext. 2283, or (334) 613-2283, [email protected].