Joel Byers, Host Pastor
As I reflect on this Fellowship Meeting and on Central Baptist Church having the honor of hosting, I am in awe of all that God did. The 75th BBFI National Fellowship Meeting was a powerful and encouraging reminder of what truly unites us: the Gospel. As pastors, missionaries, and church leaders gathered from across the nation and around the world, the sense of unity in Christ was both evident and inspiring. This historic milestone gave us the opportunity to reflect on our legacy while also looking forward to the future possibilities within the BBFI movement.
Throughout the week, we were reminded that our calling remains clear: to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. The stories shared by pastors, missionaries, and church planters, both seasoned and new, reignited our passion for reaching the lost. Their testimonies were not only moving but also served as a challenge to continue supporting and sending laborers into the harvest.
Fellowship was another cornerstone of this meeting. It was refreshing to connect with fellow pastors, missionaries, and church planters, to share burdens, pray together, and celebrate what God is doing in our churches. The unity we experienced did not come from methods or styles, but from our shared mission and unwavering commitment to the Word of God.
As we reflect on this 75th National Fellowship, we leave renewed and reminded that the Gospel is our common ground, missions is our heartbeat, church planting is our strategy, and fellowship is our strength. May we continue forward together, committed to the cause of Christ and the advancement of His Kingdom.
Jon Haley, BBFI President
I had the privilege of joining pastors, missionaries, and friends of the BBFI at Central Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, for our 75th Anniversary. Pastor Joel Byers and his church were generous and gracious hosts. The entire week was a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness over the decades and a fresh challenge to continue the mission He has entrusted to us.
From the opening service to the final moments of fellowship, I left both encouraged and inspired. Hearing stories of how God has worked through our fellowship for 75 years reminded me that we truly stand on the shoulders of faithful men and women who gave sacrificially, prayed fervently, and believed deeply in the Great Commission.
As I reflect on the week, I am more excited about the future of the BBFI than ever before. The passion, unity, and vision I witnessed give me great hope that our best days are still ahead. Together, we must press forward — driven by the Word of God, dependent on the Spirit of God, and dedicated to the mission of God.
Tracy Rob, BBFI 1st Vice-President (Mission)
What a wonderful meeting we had in Tyler, Texas, at Central Baptist Church. Joel Byers, along with his staff and members, did an outstanding job hosting the BBFI National Meeting. They went above and beyond as gracious, generous hosts, providing an excellent venue.
The speakers were positive, challenging, and encouraging. More than ever, I believe we have a united fellowship committed to fulfilling the Great Commission. What is happening right now in national church planting and world missions is both exciting and inspiring.
As world events escalate and perilous times surround us, now is the time to join together and commit ourselves with excellence to reaching our world for Christ. I am thankful to see that happening among the churches and pastors of the BBFI. Our Executive Committee is praying for the strengthening of our pastors and for revival in our churches.
Kevin Carson, BBFI 2nd Vice-President (Education)
What a blessing it was to joyfully celebrate our 75th anniversary, an incredible milestone marked by stirring preaching, rich fellowship, and productive meetings. Since its founding, the BBFI has been used by God in world missions, evangelism, fervent church planting, and training others through education, all of which we celebrated. God has graciously used our shared commitment to make an eternal impact for His glory.
We were blessed to hear reflections on God’s faithfulness in the past and to be challenged by visions cast for the future. Pastors shared testimonies of thriving churches planted through our collective efforts, while missionaries recounted stories of lives changed across the globe. I was reminded once again of the importance of working together, equipping believers, and reaching the lost.
The Fellowship’s legacy is not found merely in its history but in the lives touched, churches started, and communities transformed. As we look ahead, the BBFI remains steadfast in its mission, inspired by the Great Commission and united in purpose. What a joy it was to celebrate 75 years of unwavering dedication to church planting, evangelism, world missions, and education! May God continue to use us by His grace until Christ returns.
Randy Abell, BBFI 3rd Vice-President (Church Planting)
I was so honored to be part of our Fellowship’s 75th anniversary! I loved connecting with pastors, ministers, missionaries, chaplains, college presidents, and ministry leaders from across the country and around the world. One of the highlights for me was introducing our church planters during the Church Planting Hour—hearing their hearts for reaching their communities and seeing our fellowship approve more missionaries for the Great Commission was truly inspiring.
I also enjoyed spending time with all the state fellowship representatives early in the week, hearing what the Lord is doing around the country. We had a great turnout for the State Rep meeting, with representatives from Florida to California and from Michigan to Louisiana, including several new states represented.
The preaching was excellent as well. I appreciated hearing both pastors and missionaries share messages ranging from the call to repent, to having grit, to my personal favorite: Brutiful, a reminder that ministry is both beautiful and brutal at the same time. I came home encouraged, thankful I was able to attend, and already excited about our next meeting this coming spring in Springfield.
Bob Stephenson, BBFI Secretary
Attending the 75th Anniversary Celebration of the Baptist Bible Fellowship International was both a privilege and a deeply personal milestone for me. Having been educated in BBFI schools, both college and seminary, and having served my entire ministry within BBFI churches, I cannot help but reflect with gratitude on the legacy of this fellowship.
Over the past seventy-five years, God has used the BBFI to train thousands of pastors, missionaries, and Christian leaders who have faithfully proclaimed the gospel around the world. I am a direct beneficiary of that vision. My education, friendships, and ministry opportunities all bear the imprint of those who sacrificed and labored to establish and strengthen this fellowship.
Now serving on the Executive Committee, I feel both the weight and the joy of carrying forward the mission entrusted to us. This celebration was not only a look back at our heritage but also a call to remain steadfast in the faith and passionate about reaching the nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I left the gathering with a renewed gratitude for those who came before us and a renewed commitment to lead well, so that the next seventy-five years of the BBFI will be even more fruitful for the glory of God.
Dean Hughes, BBFI Treasurer
The gathering of pastors, missionaries, and Christian leaders to celebrate the first 75 years of the BBFI was absolutely outstanding. The people of Central Baptist in Tyler set the tone with their gracious hospitality, generous spirit, uplifting worship, and an atmosphere that was truly top-notch.
Every message was both challenging and inspiring, beginning with Bruce Garner’s sermon on Monday night and continuing through each speaker to Luis Monge’s heartfelt and passionate plea to reach our world, especially the younger generation, for Christ. These sermons are well worth going online to view. The testimonies shared as new missionaries and church planters were presented were exceptional and deeply moving.The spirit of unity that prevailed reminded us of how thankful we are for all God has done through our Fellowship in the past, while also inspiring us to draw closer to Him and to one another as we strive together for the faith of the gospel. This truly was an exceptional meeting, and all glory goes to God! I am so thankful and blessed to be a part of the Baptist Bible Fellowship International.
