BRANSON – The State Evangelism Conference is going to look different in 2013.
It’s now an evangelism/discipleship event and it’s called “ReFRESH,” based on a program from Sherwood Baptist Church in Georgia. It will be Feb. 28 and March 1 at First Baptist Church, Branson. Registration begins at 4:30, and the evening session runs 6-8:30 p.m. The next day’s sessions run 8:30-11 a.m., 2-4 p.m. and 6-8:30 p.m.
ReFRESH events normally cost $150 per person, but thanks to Cooperative Program gifts, there is no fee for the Branson conference. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Evangelism Director Mark Snowden said Missouri pastors, church staff, directors of missions and spouses need to pre-register by the end of this year.
“In January, we’ll open it up to those in other states and we know many plan to attend,” he said. “Everyone will need to register this time around. So, if you’re planning to bring a van full of folks, each of them will need to be registered to get in the door.”
Jim Wells, MBC strategic partners team leader, said the ReFRESH he attended was the best conference he attended in 25 years.
“It was inspiring, convicting, and life-changing,” he said. “This conference points us to our greatest need among Southern Baptists and that is revival.”
“Michael Catt at Sherwood has assembled a group of world-class speakers that all speak to one theme: personal revival,” said Snowden. “We aren’t having breakout sessions or even an Exhibit Hall. It’s a serious time of personal examination.”
Speakers include: Catt; International Mission Board President Tom Elliff; pastor Ronnie Floyd; Ken Jenkins, photographer and naturalist; Daniel Simmons, senior pastor Mount Zion Baptist Church, Albany, Ga.; and Mark Willard, associate pastor of worship at Sherwood.
“These are not sugar-sticks or just evangelistic sermons,” Snowden said “ReFRESH is geared to reviving the spiritual walk of all those who attend.“
After a few years of trying multiple regional events, the MBC is shifting back to a single “big” event.
“My predecessor, the late Gary Taylor, attended a ReFRESH Conference and was moved to conduct it here to help Missouri Baptist DOMs and pastors,” Snowden said. “My wife and I had an opportunity to attend a ReFRESH Conference at Sherwood this fall. We caught the vision of what ReFRESH could do for Missouri Baptist churches. It really is top-notch.
”My prayer is that when pastors are walking anew with the Lord, that it will spill over to their churches to bring healing and a thirst for revival,” he said.
Register online at www.mobaptist.org/sec or contact the Evangelism/Discipleship office at 800-736-6227 ext 651.