On Friday, July 4, 2025, during the American Baptist Churches USA Biennial Mission Summit in Omaha, Nebraska, AWAB hosted a moving and memorable breakfast gathering. With over 200 people in attendance, the ballroom was filled with energy, love, and a shared commitment to justice and inclusion.
We were honored to welcome Rev. Dr. Clifford Matthews, AWAB Executive Board Member and Pastor of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, as our keynote speaker for the morning. His message, titled “In or Out,” was drawn from Matthew 14:22-33, where Peter steps out of the boat to walk toward Jesus on the water.
In his sermon, Dr. Matthews offered a powerful metaphor: the boat as a symbol of traditionalism, comfort, and fear, and the water as the space of faith, liberation, and transformative action. He challenged attendees to reflect on whether they were choosing to remain in the boat of what’s familiar, or stepping out in faith toward God’s ever-expanding vision of justice and love.
His words resonated deeply with the gathered crowd, many of whom are navigating the complexities of doing affirming ministry within Baptist spaces that have historically resisted full LGBTQ+ inclusion. For those who have been told to stay quiet, sit down, or play it safe, Dr. Matthews offered a rallying cry: step outside.
The AWAB Biennial Breakfast has become a cherished tradition for our movement—a time to gather, reconnect, and be spiritually refueled. This year’s message reminded us that following Christ means being willing to disrupt the status quo, even when the waters are rough.
You can watch Rev. Dr. Matthews’ full message below
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Together, we are stepping out of the boat—and into God’s radical love.