East Liberty Association to host annual D-Now event

East Liberty Baptist Association will host its annual Disciple Now event Aug. 3–5 at Happy Valley Baptist Church, Lanett. 

Disciple Now, a national concept hosted by many Alabama Baptist churches and some associations, is known to many as D-Now. It is a youth event including missions projects, speakers, breakout sessions and worship services. The event, which caters to seventh grade through college, is open to all churches in the association.

D-Now typically draws about 250 students across the association, and on average about 10 churches participate. Speakers, worship led by singer Kevin Derryberry and missions projects will all be available for D-Now participants throughout the weekend. 

On Aug. 4 participants will take part in a missions project that usually occurs in the local area. The project may include light construction, roofing and yard work. 

First Baptist Church, Valley, has participated in D-Now since 2004 and will send about 30 participants to the event. Tim Andrews, interim pastor and associate pastor of families and students for First, Valley, said his church enjoys being a part of D-Now and the missions projects. He added D-Now is typically conducted earlier in the year, but this one is offered in August as a way to hopefully send students back to school on a spiritual high note. “The students gain a lot from the hands-on missions work,” he said. “They also are challenged by the speakers to be faithful in their relationship with Christ.”