With the goal of finding ways Southern Baptists “can work more faithfully and effectively” together in fulfilling the Great Commission, messengers to the convention's annual meeting June 23-24 gave the green light to a task force to examine the denomination for one year and report back to the 2010 meeting in Orlando Fla.

Debate over the proposed Great Commission Task Force and an Internet document dubbed the “Great Commission Resurgence Declaration” had dominated pre-convention talk, with some Southern Baptist leaders backing it and others expressing concern. In the end, though, the 8,700-plus messengers at the annual meeting overwhelmingly supported the task force via a motion that gave Southern Baptist Convention President Johnny Hunt authority to appoint the panel -- something he did on the meeting's final day, naming 19 members.

In addition to Johnny Hunt the Great Commission Task Force includes:
Ronnie Floyd, pastor, Springdale, AR CHAIRMAN
Frank Page; First Baptist Church in Taylors, SC
R Albert Mohler, President, SBTS
Jim Richards, executive director, Southern Baptists of Texas
David Dockery, president, Union University;
Simon Tsoi, first vice chairman, International Mission Board;
Donna Gaines, Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, Tenn.;
Al Gilbert, pastor, Calvary Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, N.C.;
J.D. Greear, pastor, Summit Church, Durham, N.C.;
Tom Biles, director of missions, Tampa Bay Association,
Danny Akin, president, Southeastern Seminary;
John Drummond, St. Andrews Baptist Church, Panama City, Fla.;
Harry Lewis, North American Mission Board;
Mike Orr, pastor, First Baptist Church, Chipley, Fla.;
Roger Spradlin, pastor, Valley Baptist Church, Bakersfield, Calif.,
Robert White, executive director, Georgia Baptist Convention;
Ken Whitten, pastor, Idlewild Baptist Church, Tampa, Fla.;
Ted Traylor, Olive Baptist Church, Pensacola, Fla.