At the 2022 Baptist Assembly delegates could contribute their thoughts to a listening board, at which Baptist minister Erica Bowler served as an intentional listener. "Mission was the biggest topic people wanted to discuss," Erica reported. "There were fundamental questions about mission and how to do it, alongside practical questions about how to finance mission, how pioneers and emerging projects can feel supported, and how churches can act together to create strategy and support."

Such a focus on mission is no surprise as it's at the heart of who we are as Baptists - just look at our Declaration of Principle, which has a three-part focus on Jesus authority, baptism and mission. Growing healthy churches in relationship for God's mission is the Baptists Together vision.

The 2022 listening board feedback has directly shaped the Baptist Assembly since. Each subsequent gathering has had a mission theme as we've sought to discern and inform our mission and discipleship in the places He has called us. This year is no different and has a particular emphasis on gathering and sharing our stories of mission.

This edition of Baptists Together magazine leads into the Assembly 2026. Alongside reflections from General Secretary Lynn Green - who reminds us that there is no secret formula for mission - incoming President Alex Afriyie and others, it features a range of stories that seek to capture something of the breadth of mission and the diverse ways Jesus is at work across Baptists Together. If there is no single blueprint, hearing each other’s experiences is vital.

On which point, you will also find a postcard insert onto which we are encouraging churches, chaplains and faith communities to write their own mission story and bring it to this year’s Assembly. Can you share one aspect of your church’s mission that is bearing fruit? For more see page 61.

As ever, the editorial group hopes the stories and reflections can encourage and inform. We hope they show the ways your giving to Baptists Together Home Mission is facilitating mission.

And we hope you may be prompted to share your own story of fruitful mission on the postcard and join us at the Baptist Assembly in May. Doing so will enrich us all.


The key articles in the magazine are featured below:
 

A printed copy of the magazine is being sent to each minister, church secretary and church treasurer and additional copies are available to purchase from our online shop.