By Lindsey Williams
Writing Specialist
In a world that divides, deceives and destroys, the local church clings to the grace and power of God — who unites, unveils and uplifts those who humble themselves and run to Him. At the annual African American Leadership Conference, attendees were urged to remember that the only way people will know they can turn from sin and shame to the Savior is if believers fulfill the Great Commission He gave them.
Weekend Gathering at Calvary Christian
Over the weekend of April 25–26, 93 pastors and leaders gathered at Calvary Christian Oak Forest Baptist Church in Jackson, along with 17 Mississippi Baptist Convention Board (MBCB) personnel, to make connections, gather church-centered resources, and learn from featured speakers how to equip the church and prepare themselves to spread the Gospel and make disciples.
Speakers Challenge and Equip Leaders
Speakers during Saturday’s sessions included the Rev. Leander Bridges, pastor of Springhill Missionary Church in Ellisville, who addressed the reality of church revitalization versus church consolidation. Nearly half a decade after COVID-19, many Christians continue to excuse themselves from attending church. Bridges exhorted leaders to be intentional in bringing the congregation back to the pews and out of the fear of five years ago.
The Rev. George Smith, a former International Mission Board (IMB) missionary to Uganda, urged pastors to lead intentionally missional churches. Fueled by a Gospel-centered passion, Smith and his wife, Geraldine, continue to lead pastors and leaders on mission trips to Uganda, building and maintaining relationships to support Kingdom work in East Africa.
The Rev. Brian Crawford, lead pastor of City Light Church in Vicksburg and president of Mission Mississippi, led a session on leadership development and the need to raise up new leaders. His wife, Candi, led the women in a session on the significant role of women in ministry, specifically in relation to African American culture. The Rev. Eddie Jones, pastor of Victory Temple Church in Greenville, taught how Sunday school can be an effective evangelistic tool within the church. The final session was an informational summary led by the Rev. Steve Acklin, church engagement manager and Black church relations representative for Lifeway Christian Resources.
Mississippi Talent on Display
“Usually a conference might go outside of the state to bring in its main presenters,” said the Rev. Lowell Walker, MBCB African American ministry consultant and pastor of Mt. Sinai Church in Tupelo. “But we like to do something a little different. We wanted to bring in our very own; we have capable men and women who give good teaching and sound doctrine, and through that, we also want to acknowledge what Mississippi is doing.”
Friday Night Fellowship and Displays
Friday night, MBCB staff had the opportunity to set up displays and make connections with pastors and leaders, emphasizing the purpose of the convention: to assist the local church — the true 2,000-plus Mississippi Baptist headquarters across the state — in making disciples.
“This conference is like a family reunion!” said Paula Smith, MBCB director of multicultural ministries. “Seeing friends here that I haven’t seen in so long is kind of like Christmas all over again. It’s just a wonderful time together, and everything related to Multicultural Ministries that looked pretty and well-prepared is because Janeth McIlwain (ministry assistant for Multicultural Ministries) has that touch. She is the sweet voice that answers the phone when you call.”
Vision for Evangelism and Missions
Walker added, “We thank Calvary Christian Oak Forest and Pastor Keith Ratliff and his wife, Sister Jennifer. This was our second time holding the conference here, and it is a pleasant place — it is godly, central, and has offered us the opportunity to gather here together, and we thank the church for their hospitality. I also thank Dr. Elbert Craig and his family for the good food they prepared and served for us Friday night.
“I just returned April 13 from Uganda after a mission trip with Bro. George and Geraldine Smith,” Walker shared. “There is a great need there for pastoral training, marriage conferences, but mainly evangelism. We would love to have a team of African American pastors over for a trip scheduled in October. We had a wonderful time this past week. When you get your hands on and you really see what it means to be a leader leading a congregation out to share Jesus, you will fall on your face there and repent, and you will come back home different. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for our churches to evangelize. The greatest thing a pastor can do is train the congregation God gave you and lead the charge in evangelism.
“In the next five to 10 years, if we are not evangelizing, our churches will not be plateauing — they will be declining. When we have more people transferring in from other congregations than we do baptizing, our churches are declining. If we are not going to follow the Great Commission, I believe that is going to be a strong indictment on the church,” said Walker. “This is why we are a part of the SBC and Mississippi Baptists. We have a convention that is sold out on going on mission. They are here to help us do missions and help us to equip congregations. We are in a time where there is a great need to equip the body of Christ.”
Leadership Reflections
Dr. Shawn Parker, MBCB executive director-treasurer, reflected on the weekend: “The African American Leadership Conference was a great reminder of the wonderful leaders we have within our Mississippi Baptist African American churches. I’m always encouraged by the commitment to missions and the devotion to cooperation I see within these leaders and their churches. They are both well-informed and deeply invested in the work of the MBCB, and they are eager to serve and support that work in any way possible. What excites me most is that they are not focused on matters of race as much as they are the mission of our Lord. I’m thankful to Paula Smith and Lowell Walker for their work in putting this conference together because these kinds of conferences help nurture our fellowship as Mississippi Baptists and keep us focused on the ultimate work of the Great Commission.
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