Seniors recently received encouragement through worship and messages at the Senior Adult Evangelism Conference at First Baptist Church Pelham.
Vocalist Guy Penrod told the audience how important they are, having the ability to show the current generation where the “potholes” are.
“You’ve seen the faithfulness of God, and your voice is important,” he said during the May 5 event. “I think we need to get ‘loud and proud’ for our Savior!”
Penrod was lead singer for The Gaither Vocal Band for 14 years, leaving in 2009 to launch a solo career. He performed two mini-concerts during the conference, and led the seniors to join him in singing several familiar hymns.
Rob Jackson of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions office of evangelism and revitalization, noted the conference began in 2001 with the name “Revive,” but “Encourage” was chosen this year since “we want everyone who attends to be inspired and encouraged and to finish the race well.”
Achilles heel
SBOM Executive Director Rick Lance was featured speaker, noting he doesn’t get many invitations to do youth revivals or camps anymore since he is among the 20% of Americans 60 or older.
“We need to pray for the new generation to have good jobs and to work hard and pay for our Social Security!” he quipped.
Lance said he sees the “Achilles heel” of many Americans as fear.
“We live in fearful times and daily events unnerve us,” he explained. “But a verse I find helpful, and clung to especially during COVID-19, is Luke 12:32. Jesus told us not to be afraid, then He gave us three pictures of God that teach us why.”
Lance noted Jesus addressed His “little flock,” reminding His followers that He was the shepherd and protector of the sheep.
Recalling a trip to Israel in 1994, Lance said he met and quizzed a local shepherd.
“I told him I’d always heard shepherds knew their sheep by name,” Lance said. “Then he began to call names to the sheep, and I saw their heads bobbing up in response. Then I told him I’d always heard that sheep followed the shepherd’s voice. He called to the flock and they all came running for treats.
“What I’d always heard about shepherds was real, and this is encouraging to know that our Shepherd protects us. We hear His voice, and He knows our names.”
‘Salvation, security, sustenance and strength’
Lance also said the Father provides.
“We have a real ‘father hunger’ in America,” Lance acknowledged. “There are so many absentee dads, and so many children who don’t grow up with a father. But we know our Heavenly Father will never turn away from His children. He is the ideal father, and He provides salvation, security, sustenance and strength.”
Finally, Lance noted believers have a King who empowers.
“How striking that Jesus said our King gives away His Kingdom.
“What other king has given his kingdom to others?” Lance asked. “Christ invites us to be part of His royal family and then invites us to be part of His work in the world. We see glimpses of Kingdom glory now, but one day we’ll see the final glory of God’s Kingdom on earth.”
Lance told of a former parishioner, whom he remembered as a strong personality, who lay dying in the hospital. She asked him to come for a visit.
“She asked me to conduct her funeral and told me how she was afraid of dying,” Lance recounted. “I tried to encourage her, and reminded her that Jesus promised to be with us in death and lead us to heaven. We don’t need to fear in life or in death.”
The next Senior Adult Evangelism Conference will be held at First Baptist Church Prattville. For more information, visit evangelizeal.org or call 334-613-2245.
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