Love with Courage
The 168th Annual gathering of the Nebraska Baptist State Convention took place at First Baptist Church, Scottsbluff, NE, on October 10-11, 2025.
The convention welcomed a dynamic gathering of pastors, church leaders, and members across Nebraska. The 2025 theme, “Love with Courage,” called us to focus on Jesus’ call to love one another as he has loved us.
16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first.
Thank you to First Baptist Church of Scottsbluff for your warm and open hospitality. Thank you to the many leaders, tech team, and volunteers. Special gratitude is extended to Rev. Charlie Bagley and Patrick Fleeman for all your hard work in preparing and leading us.
Keynote Speakers and Exhibits
Our lineup of keynote speakers encouraged and challenged us to love with courage in all aspects of our lives and ministries.
Rev. Dr. Christine Rousch, Director of American Baptist Foundation
Rev. Dr. Pam Durso, President, Central Seminary
Rev. Dr. Greg Mamula, Executive Minister, American Baptist Churches of Nebraska
Robert Vivar, The Border Church along the Tijuana-San Diego border.
Potters Wheel Ministries, & FBC Scottsbluff Food Ministry
Rev. Bryan Marvel, led our Clergy and Spouse Retreat and provided a workshop.
The American Baptist Historical Society “Sharing the Story: Increasing Access to Records Documenting Japanese American Confinement and Northern Baptists’ Response,” A display was set up in the exhibit area.
Partner Organizations
ABCUSA partners allow us to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus together.
American Baptist Home Mission Society
Ministers and Missionary Benefit Board
Ways to Engage
- Spiritual Disciplines: Learn and practice key disciplines in the context of a community, like bible reading, prayer, financial stewardship, silence, fasting, sacrifice, worship, celebration, service, confession, and fellowship.
- Bible Reading: Read especially John and 1 John with a group. Look up words like love, church, brothers and sisters, and unity on your favorite Bible app or Bible website to meditate on key verses or available Bible studies.
- Small Groups: Create safe spaces for people to find their identity, belonging, and purpose in Christ by loving one another as Christ loves us. Use the ABC Nebraska RightNow Media access or Seminary Now platform to do a video-driven bible study with others.
- Journaling: Reflect on how your understanding of how love rooted in Christ helps create our identity, belonging, and purpose compared to a spirit of fear.
- Mentorship: Find a wise person, regardless of age, who loves others well and seek mentorship from them.
- Service Projects: Look for opportunities to love by serving others deeply.
- Retreats: Attend a retreat at Moses Merrill Camp and Conference Center.
Resources
We will be focusing on 1 John for this theme. Some good commentaries include:
Constantine R. Campbell, The Story of God Bible Commentary: 1, 2, & 3 John
Karen H. Jobes, Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: 1, 2, & 3 John
John Painter, Sacra Pagina: 1, 2, and 3 John
Colin G. Cruze, The Pillar Commentary on the New Testament: Letters of John
Gary M. Burge, The NIV Application Commentary: The Letters of John
John R. W. Stott, The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary
-Bible Project-
1-3 John Key Guide, and Video 1-3 John
Video: What is God’s Love Like
Video: Agape Love word study
Popular Books
-Biblical Love-
Scott McKnight, Fellowship of Differents
Dan White Jr., Love Over Fear
David Brooks, How to Know A Person
Kara Powell and Brad M. Griffin, 3 Big Questions that Change Every Teenager (This is an excellent resource for all ages)
-Community-
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together
Skye Jethani, What if Jesus Was Serious About The Church
J.R. Briggs, A Time to Heal
Greg Mamula, Table Life
Jonathan Malone, A Peculiar Church
Myles Wernz, From Isolation to Community
Henri J.M. Nouwen, Life of the Beloved
Scot McKnight, Kingdom Conspiracy
-Politics and Power-
Brian Kaylor and Beau Underwood, Baptizing America
Ross Kane, The Good News of Church Politics
Michael Wear, The Spirit of Our Politics
David Fitch, Reckoning With Power
N.T. Wright and Michael Bird, Jesus and the Powers
Songs
List of Hymns featuring “Love One Another”
Love One Another
They will Know We Are Christian
Videos
Love One Another by The Work of the People
Peace featuring Stanley Hauweras
Make “One Another” The Core of Your Community by RightNow Media
Review the 2025 Convention Book
Review the 2025 Convention Videos