I am expecting God to do great things in and through our time together at this year’s SCBC Pastor’s Conference at Riverland Hills Baptist Church in Irmo. It has been a real blessing to me as I have studied what the Bible says our great God is able to do in our lives, families, ministries, churches, communities, nations and world. I know that many pastors are discouraged, or maybe even feel defeated, in the place where the Lord has called them to serve. I know that many times our families suffer as we serve those who often don’t seem to care. I know that it can be an overwhelming task to carry the burdens of so many, but I want you to know that, no matter what situation or circumstances you might be facing, He is able!
Brad WhittI pray that you have spent some time getting to know some of the guests that will be ministering to us at this year’s conference. Check them out online. Listen to some of their sermons. Discover a little bit about their ministry, family and personality. This will help you to get even more out of their ministry when they are with us on the 15th. (I was so excited to see on Twitter where our speaker and my former pastor, John Hays, and the Jersey Baptist Church in Pataskala, Ohio, baptized 73 this past Sunday. To God be the glory!)
It’s not too late for you to reserve a room at the conference hotel. The Hyatt Place has done such a wonderful job working with us and has provided what I believe is an excellent rate at just a short distance from the church. If you need to reserve a room, you can call 803-407-1560 and give the group rate code – SCBC Pastor’s Conference – to receive the discounted rate of $72 plus applicable taxes. Or, if you prefer, you can make reservations online at www.tinyurl.com/scbc2pay.
I want to say how much I have enjoyed being a part of this year’s conference. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with our officers and convention leaders. It has been a pleasure to get to meet with pastors across our great state and see what the Lord is doing in churches large and small, city and country, traditional and contemporary, new and established, all for His glory.
I can’t help but remember a statement that my pastor, Dr. Adrian Rogers, used to make to us preacher boys when we were sitting in his office. He would tell us that “it will take another world to know who the truly great pastors were.” I want to encourage you in the Lord today. You may think that nobody knows your name, but He does. You may think that nobody cares about your ministry, but He does. You may think that you’ve been forgotten, but He knows you, loves you and one day, if you will remain faithful, you’ll hear those wonderful words: “Well done, good and faithful servant – enter into the joy of your Lord.”
Make plans to join us next week for an exciting and encouraging time of fellowship and worship. The day begins at 9 a.m. and will end at 9 p.m. Invite your friends and fellow pastors. Make a day of it. It’s going to be terrific. And don’t forget – He is able!