Many Blessed at 2017 Pastor's Conference

The 2017 Pastor’s Conference was held Tuesday, November 7th at Chillicothe Baptist Church. The event kicked off with a pastor’s luncheon followed by a panel discussion addressing the cultural issues of the day impacting God’s church, Christian families, and Christian students. Panel participants were Dan Darling, Vice President of Communications for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the SBC (www.dandarling.com); Aaron Baer, President of Citizens for Community Values (www.ccv.org); Peyton Hill, Pastor at Highland Baptist Church (www.hbcgc.org); John Avant, President of Life Action Ministries Division (www.lifeaction.org); and Dr Jeff Iorg, President of Gateway Seminary (www.gs.edu). 

Following the luncheon and panel discussion, the people attending the conference were able to enjoy the music of the Carl Cartee Praise Band. The music was outstanding and the band's spirit of leading in worship was as good as any Christian could experience. What a joy to have these fine brothers and sisters in Christ with us for the day!

Dr. Iorg kicked off the afternoon preaching session with a tremendously challenging message exhorting everyone to do greater works than Jesus did! Of particular interest to me was the challenge to pray bigger prayers! Thomas Hammond, Pastor at FBC Alpharetta, GA (www.fbca.com), reminded us that in doing ministry we don’t go it alone. He then shared with us a 2016 Georgia Baptist Mission Board initiative called “The Big Invite” (which we will be doing in Ohio in 2018). This initiative is designed to encourage Christians to personally invite those far from God to attend church on Easter Sunday. Many churches that participated in The Big Invite reported record attendance that day!

In between the afternoon and evening sessions the Church Planting Resource Group held their “New Beginnings” banquet. This time of food and fellowship is designed to draw our attention to the importance of planting new churches in Ohio and introduces us to many of the planters and their families. We praise God for these that have launched out in faith to do the work of ministry in Ohio.

The conference concluded with a supernatural and spirit filled time of worship and preaching. Carl Cartee shared that he was led to introduce to us a new song that he had recently written. The song's title was "I Say Yes." (A link to download the song is available below) John Avant then approached the pulpit and shared with Carl and our attendees that God had given him a new message earlier that afternoon to preach that evening. The message title: "JUST SAY YES!"

What a message it was! And what a glorious time of response afterwards as we entreated the Lord to bring revival to our lives, His people, and His church! What a great end to a great day worshipping our Great God and King! If you missed attending, you missed a blessing!

There Is Victory In Jesus,
Jack Helton
Evangelism Resource Group