Making disciples who make a difference. That was the unofficial motto at this year’s SCBC Senior Adult Convention, held March 16-18 in Charleston.
Age should be “no factor” in the joy of serving Christ, D.J. Horton told those attending the Senior Adult Convention.“We want to see people’s lives changed,” said D.J. Horton, pastor of Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church, Moore, and the conference’s keynote speaker. “Senior adults are the perfect generation to set examples for being a disciple and furthering God’s kingdom.”
More than 450 senior adults, representing 42 churches from across South Carolina, gathered in Charleston for the event. “The Great Commission says nothing about age,” said Horton. “Nobody has the right to remove themselves from the disciple-making process. “We have a wealth of knowledge from this generation, and we need to be connecting them with the younger people in our congregation.”
Horton talked about his experience in becoming a pastor. “I was 25 years old, straight out of seminary, and Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church took a chance on me. We have a truly blended congregation, and our passion is seeing lives be changed,” he said. “It is my experience that the most joyous and fulfilled group in the church are the ones who are serving and giving their life away. Age has no factor in that joy.”
Senior adults arrived on Monday afternoon and began their retreat with worship and music provided by the Singing Churchmen, the Good News Trio and the Marathon Singers.
Mike Lewis, the “Jesus Painter,” graphically illustrates the story of Jesus’ life.The following morning began with music and a session of study with Jerry Pounds, assistant to the president and director of the spiritual formation program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. “We need to pass on the faith,” he told the audience. “Senior adults possess the greatest opportunity to become the most effective disciple makers because of their wisdom, faith in times of need, and ability to persevere.” Pounds challenged listeners to “be like Christ now, not when we get to heaven.”
Mike Lewis, known as the “Jesus Painter,” began his presentation with a white canvas and started telling the story of Jesus’ life by painting with only four or five colors. After the final stroke, Jesus’ face was the final creation of artwork. “This represents our life. We start out as nothing, and through our walk with him, people begin to see God reflected in our lives,” he said.
The conference ended with a time of commitment led by Horton. – SCBC