Photo gallery: Georgia pastors gather at state Capitol to hear from legislators, public policy experts and activists

By HENRY DURAND, The Christian Index

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

ATLANTA — The Georgia Baptist Mission Board invites pastors to the Capitol each February to hear firsthand about issues impacting the state and to interact with elected leaders and policymakers. This year, speakers included Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, former Atlanta fire chief Kelvin Cochran, and a 19-year-old who began gender-transitioning surgeries when she was 12 only to change her mind two years ago.. 

--- PHOTOS ---

File: 20240207-175724-pastors pose s.jpg

Caption: Pastors pose on the steps in the Capitol building in Atlanta on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

File: 20240206-095513-cochran s.jpg

Caption: Former Atlanta fire chief Kelvin Cochran speaks during the Georgia Baptist Mission Board's Pastors Day at the Capitol in Atlanta on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

File: 20240207-171147-kemp 2 s.jpg

Caption: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp speaks at an event for pastors at the Capitol in Atlanta on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

File: 20240207-171059-Wide s.jpg

Caption: Mike Griffin, public affairs representative for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, addresses more than 200 attendees at an event for pastors Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, at the Capitol in Atlanta. (Index/Henry Durand)

File: 20240207-171056-ward award s.jpg

Caption: Rep. Will Wade, right, receives a "Legislator of the Year" award from W. Thomas Hammond Jr., executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, at an event for pastors at the Capitol in Atlanta, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

File: 20240207-171023-setzler s.jpg

Caption: Sen. Ed Setzler speaks after receiving a "Legislator of the Year" award from the Georgia Baptist Mission Board at an event for pastors at the Capitol in Atlanta, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. Mike Griffin, public affairs representative of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, listens at left. (Index/Henry Durand)

File: 20240207-171054-vendors s.jpg

Caption: Representatives of various organizations listen to a speaker during a Georgia Baptist Mission Board event for pastors at the Capitol in Atlanta, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

File: 20240207-171038-suzanne prays 2 s.jpg

Caption: Suzanne Guy of Life Initiatives and Values, left, prays with Chloe Cole, center, and Vernadette Broyles during a Georgia Baptist Mission Board event at the state Capitol in Atlanta, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

File: 20240207-214318-garlow s.jpg

Caption: Dr. Jim Garlow, founder and CEO of Well Versed, a ministry to members of Congress, and ambassadors at the United Nations in New York City, addresses pastors at an event at the Capitol in Atlanta on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)

File: 20240207-214321-sharp s.jpg

Caption: Matt Sharp, senior counsel and director of the Center for Legislative Advocacy with Alliance Defending Freedom, addresses pastors at an event at the Capitol in Atlanta on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand)