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2023 CBF General Assembly
Atlanta, GA
June 28-30, 2023

 

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Hebrews 10:23-25

CBF General Assembly returns in-person this year to Atlanta, Georgia, and you’re invited to join Cooperative Baptists at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta Hotel for a week of learning, worship, inspiration and fellowship!

This summer at General Assembly, we invite you to pursue Holy Ambition. Together in Atlanta, we will be equipped to put our faith to action, be encouraged by friends and colleagues in ministry, and be challenged to come alongside God's transforming work in the world.

This summer, you can expect familiar favorites, as well as a few new features. You'll experience:

A Schedule Shift – the primary days of General Assembly are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (June 28-30), so when registration opens, note the schedule and be sure to make your hotel reservations accordingly. Assembly activities will begin mid-day on Wednesday the 28th and closing worship will be Friday afternoon. All Assembly activities will conclude by 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening.

Fun for your whole family! – Age-appropriate Assembly programs are available in-person for preschoolers, children, and youth. These programs include special speakers and activities! Age-level Assembly activities will take place on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Learning Labs – Prepare to be equipped for ministry at this year's Assembly though Learning Labs—three workshop-style experiences focused on ten topical learning tracks. During Learning Labs, you will receive an introduction, deep dive into a subject, and practical takeaways for your community. Learning Lab topics include: Ministry Innovation, Global Missions, Cultivating Calling, Missions & Community, Vida Hispana (presented entirely in Spanish), Advocacy, Spiritual Care & Trauma-Sensitive Ministry, Racial Justice, Financial Wellness & Fund Development, and (Cooperative) Baptist Identity. We encourage you to follow one Learning Lab track throughout the Assembly, but may explore multiple topics if you would like. Which track will you choose?!

Partner Events – Be on the lookout for information from CBF partner organizations, theological schools and CBF state and regional organizations hosting events at General Assembly.

The Gathering Place – The lively exhibit hall at General Assembly, called The Gathering Place, will be a hub of activity that you’ll want to return to again and again throughout Assembly week. Inside, exhibitors will interact with participants as attendees connect with each other in the aisles, market and multiple café areas.

Worship – Prepare for late night worship led by the Pan African Koinonia on Wednesday night, as well as worship on Thursday evening and Friday afternoon of Assembly. Experience powerful preaching, singing and communion as well as participate in the commissioning of CBF field personnel and CBF endorsed chaplains and pastoral counselors.

Registration

Registration is now open! We ask that anyone attending the General Assembly go through the registration process, as name badges will be required for entry into events at the Assembly.

REGISTER NOW

The Assembly will take place at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. We have secured a room rate of $155.00/night plus tax.

RESERVE YOUR ROOM

There are plenty of rooms available! If you are arriving early in the week, you may receive an error. If this is the case, try a later check-in date, book the time that is available, and send us a note with your name and the days you need to add to your reservation to assembly@cbf.net.

If you need additional assistance with your hotel reservation, please contact the Hyatt Regency Atlanta at 877.803.7534. The group code is G-COBF.

Schedule at a Glance

View Full Detailed Schedule
 

Continue to check back as more experiences and events are confirmed as part of the 2023 Assembly schedule

Wednesday

All Day – Check-in/Registration
11:30 am - 1:00 p.m. - Lunch and Learn
1:15 - 5:00 p.m. - Age-Level Assemblies
1:30 - 3:30 p.m. - Bold Faithfulness Breakouts
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. - Receptions and Theological School Gatherings
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. - State and Regional Gatherings
7:30 – 9:00 p.m. - Opening Party
9:30 - 10:30 p.m. - Late night worship led by the Pan African Koinonia

Thursday

7:30-9:00 a.m. - Familia Celebration Breakfast
7:30-9:00 a.m. - Friends of BNG Breakfast - Register soon at baptistnews.com!
9:30-11:00 a.m. - Plenary Session
11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. - Dr. Emmanuel McCall Racial Justice Trailblazer Luncheon
1:30-2:30 p.m. - Learning Labs Session 1
3:00-4:00 p.m. - Learning Labs Session 2
4:15-5:15 p.m. - Network Meetings, Receptions, Gathering Place Conversations, Business Breakout Session
5:30-7:00 p.m. - Baptist Women in Ministry Celebration Dinner - Register now at bwim.info!
7:30-9:00 p.m. - Worship
9:30-10:30 p.m. - Gathering Place Reception
9:30-11:30 p.m. - Young Baptist Ecosystem Outing

Friday

7:30-9:00 a.m. - Encourager Church & Advocacy Breakfast
9:30-11:00 a.m. - Business Session
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - BJC Luncheon - Register soon at bjconline.org!
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Chaplaincy & Pastoral Counseling Luncheon
1:30-2:30 p.m. - Learning Labs Session 3
3:00- 4:00 p.m. - Receptions, Network Meetings, Gathering Place Conversations
4:30-6:00 p.m. - Worship


Learning Labs

Prepare to be equipped for ministry at this year's Assembly though Learning Labs—three workshop-style experiences focused on ten topical learning tracks. During Learning Labs, you will receive an introduction, deep dive into a subject, and practical takeaways for your community.

Learning Lab topics include: Ministry Innovation, Global Missions, Cultivating Calling, Missions & Community, Vida Hispana (presented entirely in Spanish), Advocacy, Spiritual Care & Trauma-Sensitive Ministry, Racial Justice, Financial Wellness & Fund Development, and (Cooperative) Baptist Identity.

With something for everyone from clergy to laity, we encourage you to follow one Learning Lab track throughout the Assembly, but you may explore multiple topics if you would like. Which track will you choose?

Check Out the Learning Labs

Age Level Assemblies

Age Level Assemblies offer fun and learning for all ages from infant to 12th grade.

Age Level Assemblies will be gathering at the following times. Children and youth will take a field trip offsite from the Hyatt Regency to explore educational and fun attractions in Atlanta on Thursday, June 29 and Friday, June 30:

Preschool (Infant through Pre-K)
- Wednesday, June 28: 1:15 PM-5:15 PM
- Thursday, June 29: 8:45-11:30 AM; 1:15-5:30 PM; 7:00-9:15 PM
- Friday, June 30: 8:45-11:30 AM; 1:15-6:15 PM

Children (Kindergarten through 5th Grade)
- Wednesday, June 28: 1:15 PM-5:15 PM
- Thursday, June 29: 8:45 AM-5:30 PM; 7:00-9:15 PM
- Friday, June 30: 8:45 AM-6:15 PM

Youth (6th through 12th Grade)
- Wednesday, June 28: 1:15 PM-5:15 PM
- Thursday, June 29: 8:45 AM-5:30 PM
- Friday, June 30: 8:45 AM-4:00 PM

Age Level Assemblies cost: $115 for Preschoolers and $150 for Children and Youth. This cost covers a t-shirt, field trip expenses, curriculum and materials, paid childcare providers, lunch for children and youth on Thursday and Friday, and snacks throughout all three days. Space is limited, but once an Age Level Assembly is full, we will have a waiting list.

Children's Assembly is full as of April 4. To add your name(s) to a waiting list, visit www.cbf.net/childrens-assembly-waiting-list

College and Young Adult Sessions

Sessions is for any college or grad student wanting a group experience at General Assembly, while also getting a taste of Atlanta. Students will begin together on Wednesday after lunch with group building, a visit to the King Center and dinner out all before heading back to the Hyatt for the opening Assembly party. They will get the full experience of Assembly on Thursday and Friday with an opportunity to debrief their learnings together. They will also have the opportunity to serve by volunteering and participating in a special hands-on mission project on site at the hotel. Sessions will conclude on Friday evening with a visit to Truist Park to watch the Atlanta Braves in action.

The cost of Sessions is $200 which includes hotel for 3 nights (double occupancy) and 5 meals. Check-in is Wednesday, June 28 and check-out is July 1.

Register to experience Assembly through Sessions during the registration process!

Sponsors and Exhibitors

The 2023 General Assembly brings you close to the people, churches and partners of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. You’ll meet Cooperative Baptists from across the United States and around the world and bring valuable attention to your business or organization.

You can find sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities at the link below! Don't see the package that is right for you or your organization? We're happy to put together a custom opportunity.

 
Explore Sponsorship and Exhibiting Opportunities

FAQ

When will registration open?

Registration is required to attend General Assembly, and all individuals should register to attend, as name badges will be required for entry into events. Pre-registration is open now! On-site registration will open in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 28, at 9:00 a.m.

Can I make changes to my registration?

Yes! Making changes to your registration details is simple. Follow this link and click "Already registered?" at the top right corner of your screen. Enter the email address you used to register and the confirmation number that was sent to that address. Don't worry if you lost or forgot that confirmation number, just follow the prompts. Once your email and number are entered, you can alter any field of your registration. Just remember to go all the way to the payment page if you're adding something with an associated cost.

As someone who has never been to General Assembly, what should I expect?

We are so glad you have chosen to attend your first CBF General Assembly! We want you to have a great time, find out more about the Fellowship, and get connected. As you check-in for the Assembly, you'll be able to ask any questions you may have to a knowledgeable CBF staff member. You will also receive a guidebook that will help you navigate the schedule and hotel throughout the week. Throughout the Assembly, you can expect to meet new friends and network with folks from around the country and the world. You will experience compelling worship, have an opportunity to attend Learning Labs, meet partners in the Gathering Place, and learn about the vibrant life of the Fellowship. If you have specific questions about the Assembly experience before you arrive, don't hesitate to reach out at assembly@cbf.net.

Can I share about CBF General Assembly 2023 online on social media?

Yes, please do! We will be posting on social media about General Assembly. Please share our posts, forward our emails, and let your network know about all of the Assembly activities. We will also be watching to share your posts, so use the hashtag #CBFAssembly when you share on social.

How much does Assembly cost?

Registration for the Assembly is free. There is some cost associated with meals hosted by CBF and other partners, and we have a special hotel rate of $155/night for your lodging, just make sure to follow the hotel registration link above.

Are there any grants or scholarships available to help cover my travel costs?

The Travel Assistance Fund for Events (TAFFE) is a fund designated by the CBF Ministries Council to provide financial assistance to LAYPERSONS with limited means to attend special CBF gatherings and events. Recipients will be awarded a grant of up to $500 to assist with travel and lodging. While all laypeople who are active and/or interested in the CBF are eligible to receive a grant, the ideal is for church and denominational leaders to invite strategic, particularly emerging, lay leaders who will advocate for and help tell the story of CBF in the church and the community. Particular consideration will be given to first-time attendees. Please note that TAFFE funds are NOT available for clergy expenses. You can apply for these funds here.

What about COVID?

The health and safety of all General Assembly attendees is our top priority. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and will act in accordance with CDC guidelines and hotel safety measures. Please note that we will continue to keep you updated about COVID protocols for Age Level Assemblies as we get closer to the event.

Can I attend any of the Assembly virtually?

While this year's General Assembly is not explicitly a virtual or hybrid event, we will be live-streaming the worship services, plenary session and business session. You will be able to access these from our Facebook page and this web page. We will also have live-streamed Podcasts from The Gathering Place throughout the Assembly, which you will be able to access on our Facebook page.

Who plans the CBF General Assembly?

The CBF General Assembly is organized by the General Assembly Steering Committee, which is led by the Director of Fellowship Experiences and consists of CBF Global Staff and volunteers. The 2023 Assembly Steering Committee members are: Carrie Harris, Jeff Huett, Devita Parnell, Guilherme Almeida, Mark Green, Brian Foreman, Brittany Ramirez, Ellen Sechrest, LaToya Cross, Chris Aho, Aaron Weaver, Becky Hall, Nell Green, Javier Perez, and Leslie Brogdon.

Can I lead a Learning Lab or submit a workshop proposal?

This year at Assembly, we will be participating in Learning Labs, which function a little bit differently than the traditional workshop model you may be familiar with. Each learning track has a Leadership Team in place that is made up of clergy and laity who will prepare the curriculum for the three lab sessions. These Leadership Teams have worked to gather diverse groups of experts in each of these topics to create cohesive learning tracks. At this time, all Learning Labs have been set. You can find them here.

Who should I contact if I have additional questions?

Prior to CBF General Assembly, please email assembly@cbf.net

The health and safety of all General Assembly attendees is our top priority. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and will act in accordance with CDC guidelines and hotel safety measures.