This episode is sponsored by the Israel Ministry of Tourism - https://holyland.israel.travel/

In this episode of SBC This Week, hosts Laura Erlanson and Jonathan Howe discuss various topics related to the Southern Baptist Convention, including insights from a recent survey about the annual meeting, the Week of Prayer for North American Missions, leadership transitions in state executives, updates on the Department of Justice investigation, and new initiatives from Guidestone. They also cover financial updates regarding the Cooperative Program, Brad Graves' prayer in the U.S. Senate, and the implications of an executive order on IVF. The episode concludes with a discussion on the Sanchez amendment and survey results regarding annual meeting preferences. The conversation delves into the dynamics of the SBC Pastors' Conference and Annual Meeting, exploring attendance statistics, financial considerations, and the preferences for future meeting locations. Insights reveal a split in the perceived importance of the Pastors' Conference, with discussions on how to enhance the value of the Annual Meeting through more engagement opportunities and training sessions. Financial barriers, particularly related to hotel costs, are highlighted as significant factors affecting attendance. The conversation also touches on the challenges of selecting suitable cities for future meetings, emphasizing the need for affordable accommodations and accessibility. Overall, the discussion reflects on the evolving needs and preferences of Southern Baptists in relation to their annual gatherings.