Former Southern Baptist Convention president Jim Henry of Orlando was the primary speaker at the annual Deacon, Pastor and Spouse Conference, where more than 284 participants focused on personal renewal and deacon ministry focus.
The event, sponsored annually by the South Carolina Baptist Convention, was held Oct. 16 and 17 at White Oak Conference Center. More than 40 churches were represented, and attendance included 125 women.
Henry spoke three times during the event, highlighting deacon attitude, deacon action and deacon applause at respective plenary sessions. On Saturday morning, participants chose from breakout sessions focusing on conflict, servant evangelism, church health, and personal health. Bud and Barbara Lee of Kansas City, Mo., joined SCBC staff in leading breakout sessions.
Wayne Revisky, pastor of Salem Baptist Church, Aynor, said the event was a good respite and provided encouragement for his church’s deacon ministry.
“I was reminded of the biblical teaching regarding deacon ministry,” Revisky said. “Deacons are men who are faithful to the church in their giving, [and in their] physical and spiritual support.”
Revisky said Salem sent two active deacons, two inactive deacons, and one young man who might be considered as a future deacon.
“Our men were impressed with the wonderful teaching,” Revisky said. “For those who have served, it was a good reminder that deacons should be mission-minded. We heard that deacons need to be more ministry-minded, stepping away from some of the business we have our hands in and letting our church committees take up that work.”
The conference was sponsored by the SCBC association and pastoral ministries Office. – SCBC