MBC striving to involve more Young Leaders
By Allen Palmeri
JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) is reaching out to young leaders through Young Leaders Encounter, a conference set for Oct. 12-13 at Ridgecrest Baptist Church, Springfield.
Ed Stetzer, missiologist and senior director with the North American Mission Board (NAMB), and Thomas Hammond, NAMB director of direct evangelism, will be joined on the platform by Darrin Patrick, pastor, The Journey Church, St. Louis. Brad Woods, associate pastor for worship at First Baptist Church, Forsyth, will lead worship.
Any pastor or staff member under the age of 40 is welcome, as well as those who are over 40 and of like mind. Cost is $20 per person, which includes the conference and supper on Oct. 12.
The sessions are scheduled from 1-9 p.m. Oct. 12 and 8:30 a.m. to noon Oct. 13.
MBC leaders see the Young Leaders Encounter as an opportunity to reach out to a group within the Southern Baptist Convention that has been seeking more affirmation from denominational leaders.
“Our dream outcome would be that we would have more guys come to pastor Missouri’s churches,” said Ron Barker, MBC personal evangelism / spiritual awakening specialist. “No. 2, that there would be young people in Missouri who would want to stay in Missouri and pastor and serve our churches. And then (thirdly), our existing young folks would be able to understand the benefits of what it means to be Southern Baptist.”
Barker emphasized that people in the Baptist Building and other seasoned leaders in Missouri Baptist life ought to listen to those who come to Ridgecrest for the purpose of getting to know their hearts.
“If we don’t build relationships with these younger guys, they won’t ever understand the benefits of Cooperative Program and our missions,” Barker said.
Young Leaders Encounter is being held in conjunction with HeartCall, a women’s evangelism training conference offered through NAMB. To register for the young leaders event, contact Luanne Yarnell by phone at 800-736-6227, ext. 655, or by email at lyarnell@mobaptist.org.