Southwestern announces exhibit, luncheon plans for SBC annual meeting in Orlando
The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary presence at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Orlando, Fla., June 7-10, will include a variety of gifts for visitors to the exhibit and participants of the Alumni & Friends Luncheon.
The Southwestern exhibit will feature giveaways of five books, seasoning, t-shirts, and luncheon tickets. Members of the Southwestern faculty will autograph books in the Southwestern exhibit and participate in other events during the annual meeting.
Of the five books, three authors will be available to autograph their books: on Sunday, Daniel Darling, director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement and assistant professor of faith and culture at Texas Baptist College, Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Life: Ethical Answers to Cultural Questions; on Monday, David S. Dockery, president and distinguished professor of theology, Hearts, Heads, and Hands: A Vision for Theological Education at Southwestern Seminary; and on Tuesday, Malcolm B. Yarnell III, research professor of theology, Word, the second volume in a three-part series, Theology for Every Person.
The other two book giveaways are The B. H. Carroll Pulpit, Revised and Expanded, a compilation of more than 40 sermons and addresses by Southwestern’s founder and first president, and Children & Salvation, co-edited by Karen Kennemur, professor of children’s ministry. On Tuesday, 1-2 p.m., Sandra Peoples, a contributor to Children & Salvation, Doctor of Philosophy student, and member of an SBC task force on disability ministry, will be available in the exhibit to discuss the subject.
Back by popular demand from last year’s annual meeting, Southwestern will give away Texas-Style SPG (salt, pepper, and garlic) Seasoning on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Additionally, t-shirt giveaways on Monday and Tuesday feature the seminary’s “Southwesterner” theme with a design for each day.
Free tickets remain available to the seminary’s annual Alumni & Friends Luncheon on Wednesday at noon, which will also include the Dockery book as a gift for all participants. Tickets can be reserved here.
The 2026 recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award will be honored during the luncheon, which will feature a conversation with Dockery and Andy Pettigrew, author of the upcoming book Steadfast: The Leadership Journey and Model of David S. Dockery.
Faculty members will also participate in different events coinciding with the annual meeting:
- Ashley Allen, assistant professor of women’s ministries, will participate in recording a Contagious Joy Podcast on Sunday, June 7.
- Dockery will be interviewed about the Cooperative Program in the Cooperative Program booth in the exhibit hall on Monday at 9:30 a.m.
- Joe Crider, dean of the School of Church Music and Worship, will lead a breakout session during the June 8, SBC Worship Micro Conference starting at 9 a.m., featuring Christian artists Shane & Shane, Robbie Seay, and the Worship Initiative. Visit here to register.
- Yarnell will be part of a panel during the Criswell Alumni & Friends Dinner at Maggiano’s, discussing the topics of religious liberty, Christian nationalism, and faith in the public square, on June 8, at 5 p.m. Purchase tickets here.
- Darling will be a panelist during the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission One Nation Under God: America’s 250th event on June 8, starting at 4:30 p.m. Join the waitlist here.
- The SWBTS Women will host a booth at the Women’s Expo, Sunday through Tuesday, and will be present at the Ministry Wives Luncheon on Tuesday.



