DAYTONA BEACH (FBC)—If you were interested in an interactive introduction to the variety of ministries sponsored by Florida Baptists as well as mission opportunities and resources available to individuals and churches, then you had to go no further than the Florida Baptist State Convention Annual Meeting.

The exhibit hall, a long-time feature of the annual meeting, is designed to "inform and inspire Florida Baptists to be on mission for God," said Don Hepburn, Florida Baptists' public relations director and convention manager.

This year's annual meeting, held at Daytona Beach's Ocean Convention Center Nov. 12-13, included approximately 60 exhibitors, ranging from state convention ministries to the International and North American Mission Boards. From Florida Baptist partnership missions to disaster relief; from a motorcycle ministry to a variety of Southern Baptist colleges and seminaries—they were all there. Some exhibits featured live music, drawings for door prizes and snacks. One exhibit even offered free back massages—a welcomed relief.

One first-time exhibitor this year was the Southern Baptist Association of Christian Schools, represented by executive director Ed Gamble. "The Florida Baptist State Convention is the first organization, at the state convention level, to recognize the need to be more deliberate in starting and leading Christian schools," Gamble said. He explained that he invested time in participating in the exhibit hall because it offered him an unmatched opportunity to meet with pastors face-to-face and discuss the support of existing schools, the starting of new schools and the need to engage in a "wake-up campaign" to the need for Christian schools.

A popular exhibitor at the Convention Center included leather and wheels. The Faith Riders exhibit highlighted a motorcycle ministry started by Buddy and Michele Newsome in 2002 at First Baptist at the Mall in Lakeland. Faith Riders currently have 24 chapters in eight states.

"Motorcycles are a common denominator that bring people together," said Michele Newsome. Monthly bike nights at the church as well as monthly bike rides offer outreach opportunities based on common interests and punctuated by a Gospel presentation. Faith Riders also ride together to participate in mission projects, such as relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina. This year marks the fifth year that Faith Riders have had an exhibit at the Florida Baptist State Convention Annual Meeting, and the group is looking forward to an exhibit at the 2008 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Indianapolis.

"One of the best-kept secrets in the Southern Baptist Convention," according to Randal Williams, "is Seminary Extension." A former Tampa pastor, Williams is director of the Seminary Extension, a ministry of the Council of Seminary Presidents of the Southern Baptist Convention based in Nashville, Tenn. The organization provides ministers and laity the opportunity to take classes close to home through independent study, the Internet, and at more than 500 extension centers across the country. Williams and his wife, Ruth Ann, traveled from Nashville with their exhibit because they "want Southern Baptists to know about us," he said. Ministers and laypeople visiting the exhibit seemed eager to learn.

Annual meeting participants were also able to tour Florida Baptists' mobile dental unit. Driven and staffed by dental assistants, the unit, with two full dental rooms, is on the road more than 40 weeks each year, offering free dental treatment to patients who live below the poverty level. Dentists and hygienists in each locale donate their time.

In addition to dental treatment, each person visiting the mobile dental unit also receives a kit that includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, washcloth, dental floss, a Bible and evangelistic tract, prepared by individual Florida Baptists. The State Convention has sponsored a mobile dental unit since 1977, and many patients of the dental unit have made professions of faith.

From morning until well after the sun went down, annual meeting attendees wandered the exhibit hall. They chatted with representatives. They picked up candy or other giveaways. They helped themselves to resources.

And, they walked away informed and inspired.