While praying about the theme for this year’s Alabama Baptist Pastors Conference, President Kevin Hamm kept going back to a sermon he preached at Gardendale First Baptist Church, where he serves as senior pastor. The message of this particular sermon, based on 2 Chronicles 20:12, was to keep one’s eyes on God. And as a pastor, Hamm thought this was a message even pastors needed reminding of because ministry can be “a battle.”
“Ministry can be one of the most exhilarating, encouraging vocations [in] the world, but at the same time, it can be draining and stressful,” he said. “Whether you’re on the mountaintop or in the valley, (you have to learn to say), ‘My eyes are on you, (Lord).’”
Hamm hopes that pastors will experience a time of revival and refreshment at the Nov. 15 conference at his church so that they can go back to their churches and preach bold messages.
“Our prayer is that those who attend this conference will be empowered and encouraged to put their hope in God and then speak that to their people, the state and the country,” he added. “When you put your eyes on God, you don’t have to be afraid.”
Six men from different areas of Alabama will communicate the theme “Our Eyes Are Upon You!” Hamm said he chose them intentionally so that no matter “where you find yourself … there is someone who will bless you and you will hear from the Lord.”
Speakers are
• Buddy Gray, pastor of Hunter Street Baptist Church, Hoover;
• Junior Hill, evangelist from Hartselle;
• Ed Litton, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, North Mobile, in Saraland;
• Lawrence Phipps, senior pastor of Vaughn Forest Baptist Church, Montgomery;
• Robert Smith Jr., associate professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham; and
• Zach Terry, senior pastor of Capshaw Baptist Church.
New to this year’s conference is a question and answer (Q&A) session during the morning session. Hamm will facilitate the Q&A session with the four speakers who serve as pastors. Pastors are encouraged to e-mail their questions ahead of time to wendyd@gfbc.org. Questions also will be taken from the floor. “It’s wonderful to come together and be encouraged, but with all these pastors together, why don’t we learn from each other?” Hamm asked. “Who knows where the Spirit of God will lead?”
Also during this year’s conference, Hill will be honored for his longtime work in the state and throughout the world. The special recognition will take place after he preaches.
“I don’t know of anybody who has had more of an impact in the local church than Junior Hill,” Hamm said. “As Alabama Baptists, we want to step up to the plate and say, ‘We love you.’ He has encouraged many so we want to encourage him.”
For more information about the conference or the state convention Nov. 16–17, visit www.alsbom.org/convention.
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2010 Pastors Conference Program
Morning Session
8:30 a.m.–Noon
8:30 Continental breakfast
8:50 Pre-session music
9:00 Welcome: Kevin Hamm
9:03 Praise and worship: Roy McNiel
9:20 Question and answer
10:00 Praise and worship: Roy McNiel
10:20 Question and answer
11:00 Praise and worship: Roy McNiel
11:15 Prayer: John Killian, Special music: Graceville
11:20 Message: Lawrence Phipps
12:00 Lunch
Afternoon Session
1:20–4:30 p.m.
1:20 Pre-session music
1:30 Praise and worship: Roy McNiel
1:40 Election of officers
1:45 Prayer: Daven Watkins, Special music: Brandon Watkins
1:55 Message: Zach Terry
2:30 Praise and worship: Roy McNiel
2:45 Prayer: Jason Dunlap, Special music: Graceville
2:55 Message: Ed Litton
3:30 Praise and worship: Roy McNiel
3:45 Prayer: Daniel Wilson, Special music: Charlotte Guffin
3:55 Message: Buddy Gray
4:30 Dinner
Evening Session
6:20–9:00 p.m.
6:20 Pre-session music
6:30 Welcome: Kevin Hamm
6:35 Special music: Graceville
6:45 Praise and worship: Roy McNiel
7:05 Prayer: Sammy Gilbreath, Message: Junior Hill
7:40 Special recognition
7:55 Special music: Graceville
8:05 Praise and worship: Roy McNiel
8:25 Prayer: Rick Lance, Message: Robert Smith Jr.
9:00 Closing prayer
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