By Lindsey Williams
Staff Writer
All throughout this past August, the second year of Impact Training sponsored by the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board (MBCB) hit the ground running. Between five separate locations across the state, local church leaders gathered to train under New Orleans Seminary (NOBTS) keynote speakers:
— Mark Johnson, assistant professor of evangelism and pastoral ministry, and director of the doctor of ministry program.
— Bo Rice, dean of graduate studies, associate professor of evangelism and preaching, and director of mentoring programs. He holds the JD Grey Chair of Preaching.
— Jamie Dew, president and professor of Christian philosophy.
Expressing the theme of “Calling out the Called,” Dwayne Parker, MBCB discipleship/Sunday School director, said the purpose of the Impact Training series is to offer training for pastors, volunteers, lay leaders, and church staff.
“For 2023, we intentionally focused on how to raise up future generations of leaders” to serve in and through the local church, he said.
Jon Martin, MBCB men’s ministries department, described, “In the past, we have offered training that was a shotgun approach where we tried to offer as many different topics and ideas as possible. Impactis more like a rifle — we’re focused on one subject and we train on that one subject across age-graded ministries and pastors.
“This allows us to focus on the ‘one thing’ that we think is needed for the cultural moment we are experiencing. Of course, the different ministries at MBCB are still available to all churches at all times to do other trainings throughout the year to meet the other various needs churches may have.”
Parker said, “Involving NOBTS professors and leaders was vital because they see the need firsthand and are actively involved in training the next generation.”
“Each of the presenters helped pastors understand how to build a culture of calling out the called in their context,” said Martin, who added he witnessed a positive response from the pastor sessions.
“While they all approached the discussion differently, I truly believe that it was beneficial to all of those who attended,” he said.
As pastors and church leaders urge against the culture of comfort zones, the minds behind Impact Training seek to exhort them in their pursuit, encouraging and challenging their motivation.
Bobby McKay, pastor of New Liberty Church, Morton, shared his experience hearing Dew. “With the skills comparable to that of a seasoned surgeon, Dr. Dew meticulously and accurately exposed the truths of Scripture and provided the remedies needed for a healthy leader.
“He was faithful to the Gospel witness and provided hope where it was needed and challenge when required. He is relatable to all those in the trenches of pastoral ministry and does not approach the work of the church as something done in a laboratory, but rather in daily life.
“He has a heart for calling out the called and reaching the following generations for Christ,” McKay said.
“Mississippi Baptist churches have some of the best volunteers,” Martin said. “It is a joy to see these volunteers all in one place for one night, learning how to become better disciplers. It is encouraging to me to watch them learn something new, then hear how they are implementing it in their church.”
McKay added, “The Impact training was a great time of worship, renewal, and learning. The information shared and ministry conversations reminded me there is a great network of churches and ministers around our state seeking to advance the Kingdom of God and multiply efforts to make disciples.
“It was a great benefit to me personally and as a pastor seeking to lead a local church,” he said.
Lisa Furlow, children’s minister at First Church, Brookhaven, shared what she said she learned from the breakout session she attended. “Dr. Donna Peavey [NOBTS professor of Christian education] had several takeaways that stuck with me. One in particular that has seeped into my ministry is, ‘Data does not save you from the fire. Data is not transformative.’
“I can easily focus on the data of a Bible passage — how many loaves of bread, how many fishes, etc. — but that’s not the transformative heart of the Gospel. Remembering this has helped me to keep Jesus at the center of my ministry in all things,” she said.
“I’m thankful for the great response we had from our churches during this year’s Impact training,” said Shawn Parker, MBCB executive director-treasurer. “All our host churches did a marvelous job of setting the stage, our leaders were excellent, and the feedback from participants was very positive.
“Dr. Dwayne Parker and the other MBCB staff involved did an outstanding job of helping us all focus on the call to service. I’m praying this effort will result in an uptick of both vocational and volunteer servants taking the baton of ministry and running the race with faithfulness,” he said.
Rice, who led the August 8 keynote session at West Heights Church, Pontotoc, remarked, “It was an honor to come alongside Mississippi Baptists and encourage pastors to call out the called. The number of churches without pastors is a growing concern in our convention.
“There are fewer men answering the call to shepherd the body of Christ. If we aren’t intentional to seek out the called, equip them, and give them opportunities to serve, then we will be faced with more and more churches that can’t find pastors to lead them.
“I’m glad to see that Mississippi Baptists recognize the problem and are doing what they can to address the situation. I have no doubt that the Lord is still calling. We simply need more churches and pastors who are intentional in investing in those He is calling,” Rice said.
There were 590 participants from 150 churches involved this year. The two years of Impact training have seen a total number of 1,200 individuals in 11 different locations across the state come together and make a godly impact on Mississippi. Host churches for 2023 included:
— First Church, Grenada, on August 3.
— West Heights Church, Pontotoc, on August 8.
— First Church, Brookhaven, on August 10.
— Poplar Springs Drive Church, Meridian, on August 17.
— Roseland Park Church, Picayune, on August 24.
“The host churches are invaluable to Impact Training,” Dwayne Parker said. “We are incredibly grateful for each host church and the time and work they give to Impact training.”
Impact training is supported by gifts to the Mississippi Cooperative Program and a registration fee. For more information, Dwayne Parker may be contacted at dparker@mbcb.org.
