Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

We Baptists value freedom of the individual and the local church. We champion the “four fragile freedoms” of soul freedom, Bible freedom, church freedom and religious freedom. We believe this emphasis on freedom is biblical—“For freedom, Christ has set us free…” (Gal. 5:1).

But freedom is only half of the story. We also value community, in and beyond the local church. We are not only free from oppressive religious and political structures, but we are free for community, collaboration and cooperation with others. This commitment is also biblical – “Do not neglect meeting together” (Heb. 10:25). We are not free in isolation. We are free…together.

We want to celebrate and explore this intentional calling with you of being “Free Together” at Annual Gathering on March 19-20 at Hayes Barton Baptist in Raleigh. We invite you to join us for a meaningful time of discovering the joy to be found in our fellowship, the belonging to be found in our churches, and the purpose to be found in our calling. Whether you are a lay leader, minister, church member or simply just curious about what CBF of NC is all about, we hope you will join us as we worship, network, fellowship, learn and engage with one another. Save the date, bring a friend and connect with individuals, churches and organizations who want to get to know you. We hope to see you at Annual Gathering!

Free Together Offering

Program Book

Leadership Forum

Workshops

Media Kit

Annual Gathering 2026 Schedule

Thursday, March 19

8:15 a.m.	Habitat for Humanity Build Project (learn more here)
9:30 a.m.	Leadership Forum Registration Opens
10:00 a.m.	Leadership Forum
1:00 p.m.	Registration and Exhibit Hall Open
2:30 p.m.	Welcome Gathering
3:30 p.m.	Workshop Session #1
4:30 p.m.	Exhibit Hall Opens
5:00 p.m.	Dinner
6:15 p.m.	General Session & Worship
7:30 p.m.	Exhibit Hall Fellowship: Dessert and Coffee

Friday, March 20

8:00 a.m.	Registration and Exhibit Hall Open
9:00 a.m.	Business Meeting
9:45 a.m.	Workshop Session #2
11:00 a.m.	Workshop Session #3
12:15 p.m.	General Session & Worship
1:00 p.m.	Annual Gathering Concludes (Networking and fellowship lunches on your own are encouraged.)

This year, we are offering a wide variety of events that require pre-registration!

Please note that pre-registration closed on March 4. We hope you registered for one or more of these exciting offerings!

Habitat for Humanity Build Project
Thursday from 8:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. | Free
There is a tremendous need for affordable housing in our community. One in four families in our community is cost-burdened, meaning they pay too much of their income toward housing at the expense of other necessities like groceries, healthcare and education. Come and build with us as we continue this 40-year legacy of coming together to share the love of Christ through building and hospitality! Registration for this event is closed.

Leadership Forum
Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. | $25
The Leadership Forum is a professional/spiritual development seminar for clergy and laity that kicks off our Annual Gathering each year. Registration for this event is closed.

Baptist History Walking Tour of Raleigh
Thursday at 10:30 a.m. | Free
Celebrate the history of Baptists in Raleigh with a walking tour. Join Dave Connelly for a 1.4-mile guided tour of the Capital City. We’ll meet on-site at historic First Baptist Church, then walk to Baptist and other historical points-of-interest around downtown. Bring comfortable walking shoes, a sun hat and a water bottle. Registration for this event is closed.

Third 30 Clergy Gathering
Thursday at 4:30 p.m. | Free
Are you a minister in the “Third30” stage of life? Age 60-90? Would you like to network with others who find themselves facing similar challenges—whether you are fully retired, working part-time, or still serving full-time? Meet with Larry Hovis and others at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Youth Place at Hayes Barton to discuss the possibilities for such a group. Registration for this event is closed.

Thursday Night Fellowship Dinner
Thursday at 5:00 p.m. | $20
Join us for our main Annual Gathering programming and dinner at the church on Thursday Night in the Family Life Center. Registration for this event is closed.

Baptist History Bike Tour of Raleigh
Friday at 1:30 p.m. | $12
2026 is a great year to celebrate the history of Baptists in Raleigh—on two wheels. Join Dave Connelly and Larry Hovis for a 17-mile guided bicycle tour of the Capital City. From the century-old Hayes Barton, to the century-old Meredith College campus, plus historical points-of-interest around downtown. Bring your bike, helmet and water bottle. This will take place on Friday at the conclusion of worship, around 1:30 p.m. Boxed lunch included in fee. Registration for this event is closed.

Seminary Students
Friday at 1:30 p.m. | Free
Theological education students are invited to a special time of fellowship and networking with Lou Ann Gilliam, CBFNC’s director of Ministerial Transitions, and Andy Hale, CBFNC’s associate executive coordinator. This will be a time of connection, sharing, and resourcing for students on Friday of Annual Gathering at 1:30 p.m. in the Youth Place. Free lunch and gas gift cards will be provided for all theological student attenders. Registration for this event is closed.

Youth Ministry Gathering (Youth Ministry Leaders Only)
Friday at 1:30 p.m. | Free
A special limited gathering of Youth Ministry Leaders on Friday after Worship will take place at The Art in Bloom Festival featuring Lilly funded micro-grant recipient, Taylor Miskel, Youth Pastor at Trinity Baptist. This outing will include all expenses paid by the grant for 20 individuals to have lunch together, fellowship, and reflect while spending the afternoon at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Registration for this event is closed.

If you registered for the add-on events, we can’t wait to see you! If not, please register to attend Annual Gathering!

Meet The Annual Gathering Leaders

David Hailey

Thursday Welcome Gathering

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David J. Hailey has been pastor of Hayes Barton Baptist Church since 1996. Married for more than four decades, Dave and Susan are the proud parents of three adult children. Bethany is married to Jerad, and they are the parents of Betsy and Drew. They make their home in Maryland. David John lives in Chicago. He is married to Claire and they are the parents of Abigail and David John Hailey, III (John). Susanna, our youngest, is married to Cameron and lives in Raleigh. They are the parents of Millie and Louisa.

Andrew Root

Leadership Forum & Thursday Evening Worship

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Andrew Root is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary, USA. He writes and researches in areas of theology, ministry, culture and younger generations. His most recent books are Evangelism in an Age of Despair (Baker, 2025), The Church in an Age of Secular Mysticisms (Baker, 2023), Churches and the Crisis of Decline (Baker, 2022), The Congregation in a Secular Age (Baker, 2021), and The Pastor in a Secular Age: Ministry to People Who No Longer Need God (Baker, 2019). In addition, he serves as theologian in residence for Youthfront. He earned his Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Kristen Tucker

Friday Afternoon Worship

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Rev. Kristen Tucker is a native of Durham, NC. Before being called into ministry, she received her undergraduate degree at East Carolina University and Master of Arts in college student development from Appalachian State in 2006. Kristen worked at UNC Wilmington as the assistant director of Housing and Residence Life. In 2013, Kristen graduated with a Master of Divinity from Campbell University and has had the honor of being the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Smithfield for the last four years. Kristen has two “children”: Joye, her five-year-old Bernedoodle and Tucker, her three-year-old Poodle.

See What Annual Gathering Is All About & Learn About Our Unique Worship Services!

Annual Gathering worship services will embody the theme “Free Together,” offering three distinct worship sessions with different musical styles and leadership. Thursday afternoon will feature The Fountain of Raleigh Fellowship and proclaimer, David Hailey, senior pastor of Hayes Barton. On Thursday evening, Hayes Barton music ministry, a Raleigh-area choir, and the All-State Youth Choir alumni will lead worship. The evening proclaimer is author, theologian, & professor, Andrew Root. Friday afternoon worship features the Greystone Baptist worship band and proclaimer Kristen Tucker, senior pastor of First Baptist Smithfield. Our time will conclude around the Lord’s table for communion. Reminding us that Christ has set us free…Together. Watch the video below to find out what you can expect at a CBFNC Annual Gathering!