2023 Preaching Conference slated for next week in three locations

JACKSON, Miss. (Special) – The 2023 Preaching Conference will be held next week at three Mississippi Baptist locations.

“We encourage and invite all pastors, ministers, laypeople, students, and other interested parties to sign up today and join us for this great time of in-depth Bible study and wonderful ministerial growth and fellowship as we study and are equipped to preach and teach from the Gospel of John,” said John Pace, director of the Pastor and Leadership Development Department at the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board in Jackson.

“As disciples and servants of Christ, we need to understand the theology and truths of the life, ministry, person, and deity of Jesus Christ if we are going to grow in and serve Christ faithfully and productively in our lives and ministries,” he said. “The message and events of the Gospel of John provide powerful and important instruction about living and serving as a disciple of Christ.”

Conference sessions are planned for Blue Mountain Christian University in Blue Mountain on April 17; Garaywa Camp and Conference Center in Clinton on April 18; and William Carey University in Hattiesburg on April 19.

There are no fees associated with the conferences. Check-in will be open from 8:30 – 9 a.m. The conferences will start at 9:00 a.m. and end at around 2 p.m. Fellowship lunch will be provided at no cost to attendees.

“We ask that you please register in advance if possible so we can properly plan for lunch that day,” Pace said. To do so, contact Elizabeth Lindigrin at elindigrin@mbcb.org, or (601) 292-3305.

Presenters at the conferences include:

— Joseph Bird, chair of the Department of Christian Ministries and Biblical Studies, and assistant professor of religion at William Carey University. Presentation focus: Background and Context of the Gospel of John.

— Ronald Meeks, chair and professor of Biblical studies, and director of church relations and ministerial recruiting at Blue Mountain Christian University. Presentation focus: Preaching and Teaching Ideas of the Gospel of John.

— Wayne Van Horn, dean of the School of Christian Studies and the Arts, and professor of Christian studies and philosophy at Mississippi College. Presentation focus: Theological Themes and Discussion of the Gospel of John.

“The message and events of the Gospel of John provide powerful and important instruction about living and serving as a disciple of Christ,” Pace said. “Our 2023 Preaching Conference will feature presentations that examine and analyze the background contexts and theological lessons of the Gospel of John, and provide powerful preaching and teaching ideas on applying these truths to our daily lives of faith and ministry.”

The 2023 Preaching Conference is supported by gifts to the Mississippi Cooperative Program.