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Southern Baptist Convention Report
Susan and I attended the Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis the second week of June. Every time I attend a convention meeting, I leave thanking God for the blessing of being a Southern Baptist. It is so encouraging to work together in ministry and learn of ways in which God is working in the lives of people around the world. There is no denomination that is more effective in supporting missionaries, planting churches, and sharing the gospel. Southern Baptists are training those who are called to full-time ministry as well as equipping volunteers to meet the needs of people in every situation imaginable. You can watch the SBC Pastors Conference and the proceedings of the convention through the Southern Baptist Convention website at www.sbc.net.
We drove to the meeting this time, so while I had the opportunity, I filled the trunk of the car with ministry resources. We now have a new supply of Bibles, gospel tracts, foreign mission study materials, and information about a variety of ministries. I learned about the establishment of a new Bible Society sponsored by LifeWay. It is called the Holman Bible Outreach International and it is dedicated to the distribution of low-cost Bibles, New Testaments, and the Gospel of John for evangelism and discipleship. You can give away copies of the New Testament at outreach events that include a clear presentation of the gospel for only 50 cents each. Contact www.HolmanBibleOutreach.org. for more information.
Southern Baptists will have the opportunity to participate in a 40-day Coordinated Ministry of Prayer this fall beginning September 23 and culminating on Election Day, November 4. Prayer guides will be available to encourage us to intercede in prayer for our families, churches, and nation. We all are aware of the moral deterioration of our nation, the breakdown of families and the decline of our churches. A God-sent revival will begin in the hearts and lives of believers. The need for revival was a common theme throughout the Pastors Conference and Convention. Jimmy Draper summarized it best when speaking to the pastors when he said, “We need to admit that the problem with America today is not the government or the politicians ... The problem is not the educational system or the economy. It's not the liberals or the abortionists. The problem lies with us.” Will pray with a repentant heart that God will intervene and send a spiritual revival to our land? We will be hearing more about this as our association makes plans to promote this ministry.
Southern Baptists have started a challenging new evangelism emphasis called God's Plan for Sharing (GPS). The goal is for every believer to share the gospel and every person in North America to hear the gospel by the year 2020. We can be a part of this plan to fulfill the Great Commission in North America. We will be learning much more about this initiative in the coming days. For now we can pray for the four strategic aspects of this challenge:
We were also able to preview a new Christian movie that will debut this September entitled Fireproof. It is an action-packed love story produced by the Sherwood Baptist Church of Albany, Georgia, creators of Facing the Giants. It will be an outstanding tool for churches to focus on strengthening marriages. A follow up book and other resources will be available for ministry. Michael Catt, the pastor of Sherwood Church states, “We believe Fireproof paints a 21st-century picture of the faith, hope, and love that makes life and marriage work. Adversity and fires will come, but we believe the message of this movie provides the powerful alternative of hope.” We can see this movie and invite another couple to join us.
We have unlimited opportunities to serve the Lord, minister to people and impact our world. I hope that the cry of our hearts will be as a deacon in a church that I served often prayed, “Lord, help us to find our place of service.”
John S. Hamm |
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HARVESTING Every church harvesting and celebrating every salvation response (John 4:34-36). |