Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:18 that “the preaching of the cross … is the power of God.” And this year’s Alabama Baptist Pastors Conference will focus on that Scripture to remind ministers across the state to keep the cross at the center of their preaching.
“In this complex and confusing time in which we live, with so many expectations made of the local pastor, I feel that we need to be reminded that when the pastor is preaching about the cross, he is bringing a message of hope, deliverance, compassion and life that cannot be found in anything else,” said Rick Evans, conference president.
“We can often become sidetracked by the alarming news in our world, but we must never forsake the call of God to preach the cross.”
During the daylong conference, which will be held Nov. 17 at East Memorial Baptist Church, Prattville, Alabama Baptist pastors and church staff members will hear several messages on The Preaching of the Cross. Speakers include:
• Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.
• Bobby Welch, retired pastor, First Baptist Church, Daytona Beach, Fla., and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention.
• Sid Nichols, director of missions at Calhoun Baptist Association.
• Phil Waldrep, evangelist from Trinity.
• D.J. Horton, pastor of Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church, Spartanburg, S.C.
• Frank Cox, pastor of North Metro Baptist Church, Lawrenceville, Ga.
• Junior Hill, evangelist from Hartselle.
• Bob Pitman, evangelist from Muscle Shoals.
Evans, pastor of Dalraida Baptist Church, Montgomery, said he looks forward to hearing some of the “most gifted preachers to be found anywhere.”
“We are fortunate to have such great Southern Baptist expositors of the Word on this year’s program,” he said. “Most of them are from Alabama, which is indicative of the many great preachers we are blessed to have in our state convention.”
Roger Willmore, president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention, believes the conference message is especially important these days because “the exclusivity of the gospel of Christ is being diminished.”
“Our culture is becoming a melting pot of different religious beliefs, and because of this, often times the Christian message is seen just as one way out of many ways to God but that is not the case,” Willmore said.
He hopes the conference will be a time of encouragement for Alabama pastors and church staff.
Conference music will be led by Michael Evans, minister of music at East Memorial Baptist, and James Bell, minister of music at Dalraida Baptist.
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2008 Pastors Conference Program
Morning Session 8:00 a.m.–Noon
8:00 Continental breakfast in Fellowship Hall
8:30 Presession music: Mount Gilead Quartet
9:00 Welcome: Glenn Graham
9:03 Prayer: Steve Sellers
9:05 Music led by Michael Evans
9:15 Mount Gilead Quartet
9:25 Message: Bobby Welch
10:05 Music led by Michael Evans
10:15 Ron and Claudia Henderson
10:25 Message: Sid Nichols
11:05 Music led by Michael Evans
11:15 Mount Gilead Quartet
11:25 Message: Phil Waldrep
12:00 Closing prayer
Lunch break
Afternoon Session 1:20–4:35 p.m.
1:20 Presession music: David Freeman
1:30 Music led by James Bell
1:40 Election of officers
1:45 David Freeman
2:00 Prayer: Johnye Horton
2:05 Message: D.J. Horton
2:35 Music led by James Bell
2:45 Sherry Holt
2:50 Message: Frank Cox
3:35 Music led by James Bell
3:45 Evans Family Trio
4:00 Message: Rick Lance
4:35 Closing prayer
Dinner break
Evening Session 6:30–8:50 p.m.
6:30 Presession music: Combined choirs & orchestras — East Memorial Baptist & Dalraida Baptist
6:45 Welcome and prayer: Roger Willmore
6:50 Music led by Michael Evans
7:00 Combined choirs & orchestras
7:10 Message: Junior Hill
7:45 Music led by Michael Evans
7:50 Offering
7:55 Combined choirs & orchestras
8:10 Message: Bob Pitman
8:50 Closing prayer: Dusty McLemore
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