For the first time ever, Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega played host to the recent annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Conference of the Deaf (SBCD).
The meeting, held Aug. 4–10, drew more than 450 pastors, missionaries and laypeople from all over the United States.
“The conference is meant to inspire spiritually, feed the flock and encourage them to go minister to others,” said Ricky Milford, treasurer for the Alabama Baptist Conference of the Deaf and pastor of Faith Baptist Deaf Mission, Talladega, in Coosa River Baptist Association.
Lenny West, SBCD president from Kentucky, echoed the thought, saying “using your faith, stepping out and ministering to God’s Kingdom” is the goal of the conference each year.
The theme Deaf America … I Go was utilized in Bible study, worship and a time of fellowship. Workshops covered topics such as ministering to deaf prisoners, sharing Jesus without fear and finding financial freedom.
The conference’s children’s program provided activities for both the hearing and nonhearing children.
“This is a teaching conference to teach new generations to … grow their ministry,” said Chris Harvey, SBCD second vice president from Oklahoma.
Another first for this year’s conference was the demonstration of a new Judgement House catering to the deaf, a production created by former Alabama student minister Tom Hudgins. A team of more than 30 people from Calvary Baptist Church, Clearwater, Fla., put on the production.
“There was a lot of emotion and expression in the drama, and it met with rave reviews,” Hudgins said.
During the conference, Kevin Bryant, Judgement House deaf presentation coordinator, met with 14 churches that expressed interest in presenting this evangelistic outreach for their deaf communities. (TAB)
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