BRANSON – While many events focus on larger churches, an annual Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) event is returning to Branson that centers on pastors of the normative size church in Missouri, those that average 125 or fewer in attendance on a Sunday morning.
The “mb125 Conference” will be at Skyline Baptist Church, Branson, June 25-28. Cost per family is $75 total for the three nights in a hotel and includes four meals. The cost rises to $100 per family after May 15. Nearly 50 families have already signed up, and space is limited to 25 more families. Childcare and youth tracks will be provided, with women’s-only tracks during the day.
All topics will be relevant to the smaller church. There will be plenty of time for fun in the afternoons and evenings with your respective families.
Gary Mathes, pastoral ministry specialist for the MBC, said if past year’s feedback is any indication, this summer’s mb125 will be a success.
“I’ve gotten feedback that mb125 was an encouragement, gave pastors effective tools in ministry, and that it was just a good time of renewal with family,” he said.
Mathes noted that the cost is kept intentionally low to make it as easy as possible for the pastor of any size church to attend. The remainder of the event’s costs is being covered by gifts through the Cooperative Program and Missouri Missions Offering.
Discounted tickets for Sight & Sound Theater’s show “Jonah” are available as part of the registration process. Ticket reservations must be made by June 17.
“We want to be a blessing to guys who are serving faithfully and sometimes doing difficult work,” he said.
The featured speaker for mb125 will be Eddie Bumpers, pastor of Crossway Baptist Church in Springfield, with worship from Mark Mathes, also of Crossway. Steve Hopkins, who serves in the area of Bible Teaching and Leadership with the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, will encourage and equip pastors and church leaders to “finish well.”
To register or for more information, go to mobaptist.org/mb125 or call 1-800-736-6227 ext. 336.
If attendees bring families, each child attending must have a completed medical release form submitted at least one week before the conference. The forms are at mobaptist.org/mb125. ν