Nothing benefits the preacher and teacher of the Word of God more than having someone who believes in him and in what he does. Having supporters and cheerleaders in one’s faith-life inspires one to continue from day to day.

Timothy’s greatest supporter was Paul, who believed in Timothy and the work God called them both to do: to preach the Word of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul encouraged Timothy in three ways, as evidenced in 2 Timothy 1:6-7: “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

First, Paul reminds Timothy that God chose him. Next, he told Timothy that he needed constantly to stir what had been conferred to him. He was to rekindle the divine giftedness, to “keep the fire alive” in order to preach effectively the Word of God. Finally, Timothy was reminded to always be conscious of character qualities that mark the man of God: courage, power, love and a sound (literally, self-disciplined and mature) mind.

Every time I attend the South Carolina Baptist Pastors’ Conference, I find the same kind of encouragement and inspiration. There is always a word from God’s men to cheer me on and inspire me to continue to fight the good fight and “keep the fire alive” in order to preach the Word!

I encourage you to make plans now to attend the 2015 South Carolina Baptist Pastors’ Conference in Spartanburg in November. Begin now to pray for our preachers. Come and be inspired. Keep the fire alive!

— Mike Runion is pastor of City View First Baptist Church in Greenville and vice president of the 2015 South Carolina Baptist Pastors’ Conference.