Equipping Leaders Weekend delivers Gospel-centered tools to strengthen church outreach

By Lindsey Williams
Writing Specialist

BRANDON — On Aug. 22–23 at Brandon Baptist Church, the Equipping Leaders Weekend left a lasting mark on many ministries. Leaders came away with practical tools, fresh ideas and Christ-centered encouragement. Sessions covered men’s, women’s, multicultural, children’s and youth ministries, as well as missions and WMU circles. Speakers emphasized that the gospel provides the foundation for addressing each area of ministry, urging attendees to embrace evangelism and discipleship in daily life.

Discipling to evangelize

Former IMB missionaries Greg and Abby Wilton led a session on equipping the local church in evangelism.

“This is important for us to grasp as leaders: ‘Don’t go out of your way to witness. Make witnessing your way,’” said Greg Wilton, dean of Leavell College and pastor of Gentilly Church in New Orleans. “You and I have to be the kind of people that see every aspect of our lives as an opportunity to share our faith. We have to be encouraging and helping our members to do the same.”

The Wiltons shared a simple method: move from casual conversations to spiritual ones, then to gospel conversations.

“Some people don’t share the gospel because they don’t even know where to begin,” Wilton said. “To go from casual to spiritual conversations, be a spiritual person in your language. Let’s not be ashamed of saying, ‘Praise the Lord’ or ‘Praying for you’ if we mean it.

“Every gospel conversation is a spiritual conversation, but not every spiritual conversation is a gospel conversation. A church invitation is good, but only Jesus saves. We should aim for gospel conversations because we care about people’s eternity.”

Evangelizing to disciple

In another session, attendees received two free resources from the national Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU). One was The Good News According to John, part of a campaign with the publisher of the Reasonable Bible to put copies into as many hands as possible.

Sandy Wisdom-Martin, executive director-treasurer of the national WMU, recalled how God prompted her to distribute 100 copies personally. “I’m not telling you this to point out what I’m doing, because I didn’t want to do it,” she said. “I’m pointing it out to tell you a work that God is doing in my life in spite of my reluctance. Now I can’t wait to give out His Word.”

The second resource, 50 Steps with Jesus, is a 50-day discipleship tool. “When new believers finish 50 Steps with Jesus, they will have a solid foundation for the rest of their lives,” Wisdom-Martin said.

Encouraged and equipped

Leaders chose six of 28 breakout sessions, and many said they left refreshed.

“Every session I attended was good,” said Ann Stone, Mississippi WMU officer and member of Mantee Baptist Church. “I enjoy coming every year because it gives you a fresh start to think about what you’re going to do with ministry.”

“I picked up a lot of great information from the cross-cultural sessions,” said Roy Callahan of First Church Florence. “I learned new things and was refreshed on what I’d heard before. I give it an A+!”

Heather Knight of The Springs Church in Collins said Alicia Wong’s session on men’s and women’s roles “blew me away. It was like she knew my questions and answered them before I asked.”

Others highlighted ideas for youth ministry, practical WMU resources, and encouragement for Royal Ambassadors leaders.

“This annual event accentuates that we’re all in for discipleship together,” said Billy Moorehead of First Church Jackson. “If we’re going to grow the church, we must influence the next generation of leaders.”

The event was co-sponsored by Discipleship/Sunday School Ministries, Multicultural Ministries and Women’s Ministries/WMU of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board.