Joyce Rogers to speak at Ministry Wives event
Wife of the late Adrian Rogers to bring inspiring story to Missouri
JEFFERSON CITY – Ministry wives who hope to hear Joyce Rogers speak at this year’s luncheon should plan to purchase their tickets as quickly as possible. Rogers is a sought-after speaker, and space is limited.
The luncheon will be held Oct. 31 as part of the Missouri Baptist Convention’s annual meeting at Cape Girardeau. It is open to all ministry wives – not just pastor’s wives.
Organizers have set a firm ticket deadline of Sept. 30 in order to provide the caterers with an accurate number. If the event is not sold out by that time, only 10 additional tickets will be issued, and those will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Rogers is the widow of Adrian Rogers, long-time pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn., and founder of Love Worth Finding international radio and television ministries. He also served three terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Along with laboring alongside her husband for more than 50 years, Rogers served in many areas of church ministry. She has been a leader and speaker in women’s ministries, has shared the Gospel as a soloist and choir member, and has taught a new member’s class for children for nearly 40 years.
Among the books she has written are Love Worth Finding: The Life of Adrian Rogers And His Philosophy of Preaching, Lean Hard on Jesus: God’s Great Goodness In Your Darkest Night, Becoming A Woman of Wisdom, and The Bible’s Seven Secrets to Healthy Eating.
Organizers of the event mentioned the luncheon’s theme “Leaving A Legacy” when contacting Rogers, but encouraged her to be led by the Holy Spirit in selecting her topic.
The Southeast Missouri State University Ballroom, where the luncheon will be held, will reflect the legacy theme in a number of ways. One of the most noticeable will be the use of quilts as part of the decor.
In addition, Old Bethel Baptist Church at Jackson will be recognized in a quilted wall hanging to be given away during the luncheon. Founded in 1806 as the first permanent Baptist Church in Missouri, the Old Bethel congregation met in a log cabin. The church was also the first non-Catholic religious organization west of the Mississippi River.
Betty Cord, mother of Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Director David Clippard, has made the 5-foot square wall hanging in a log cabin pattern using shades of beige and burgundy, encompassing 30-40 different fabrics.
She notes that the log cabin pattern was often used as a signal by sympathizers of runaway slaves during the days of the Underground Railroad. The block normally has a red center, signifying the heart of the home.
However, yellow centers were sometimes sewn in to signify safety, and black centers would signify danger. The quilts were hung over a line in such a way that fugitives could see the signal and know how to proceed. Cord has sewn a yellow block into the quilt. This history will be included in a pocket on the back of the wall hanging.
Those who purchase – and pay for – their luncheon tickets by Sept. 30 will have their names put into a drawing for the quilt. Should there still be tickets available for sale after that date, those buyers will not be eligible for the drawing.
Tickets are $10.75 each. They may be purchased by contacting Becki Kelley at Missouri Baptist Convention, 400 E. High Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101 or bkelley@mobaptist.org. The toll free phone number is 800-736-6227 and the local phone is 573-636-0400, ext. 202.