ST. CHARLES – Four speakers at the annual pastor’s conference of the Missouri Baptist Convention meeting October 24 used the theme “Call down Fire” to bring inspirational words.
Those preaching were Missouri Baptist Evangelist Roger Alford, Larry Wynn of the Georgia Baptist Convention, Dr. Herb Reavis of North Jacksonville (Fla.) Baptist, and Southern Baptist Convention president elect Dr. Steve Gaines.
Alford took a mock campaign to tell of his candidate.
“My candidate was born in a supernatural way, had no college education, lived in poverty… never wrote a book, but all the libraries in the world couldn’t hold the books about him…and one day he’s coming back on the clouds for his people,” Alford said.
“My candidate’s platform is the bible which should be read from Genesis to Revelation. He offers three key elements – significance, sufficiency, and security,” he said.
Alford punctuated his “candidate stumping” with song lyrics: For significance, he sang ‘Jesus loves the Little Children of the World,’ and ‘I’m a Child of the King.’ My candidate can make you great – he didn’t die for a piece of junk.”
For sufficiency, Alford said “I need Jesus like I never needed someone before. It’s not what you can do for God, it’s what He can do through you.” For security, he said his candidate’s plan is “better than social security, better than Homeland Security,” then sang a verse of ‘Solid Rock.’
“Jesus campaign promise is ‘You will have life and have it more abundantly.’ No lobbyist or special interest group can sway him, but John 3:16 says my candidate has a special interest in you. You can talk to my candidate anytime. You don’t have to wait until November to vote for Jesus.
“Jesus doesn’t just want to be a resident, he wants to be your president. Your church is the campaign headquarters, and pastors, you are the campaign managers,” Alford said.
Larry Wynn emphasized prayer in Acts 4:31 and other Acts scriptures.
“When they prayed the place was shaken. Prayer ought to be the first thing on our minds, not the last thing.”
Wynn formerly pastored Hebron Baptist in Dacula, Georgia for 31 years. But in the civil war era, closing the church was discussed because membership dropped to 11.
“The church met once a month on Sundays, and one woman…got on her knees on the church porch each Saturday before a service and cried to God ‘Please don’t let our church close its doors.’ Today the church is a testimony to the lady.”
“In Acts, everything was handled with a prayer meeting.
“Praying churches are powerful churches, reach people with the gospel, and face their challenges with confidence, “ Wynn said detailing his points.
Reavis read from Revelation 1:9 and told of the “kind of church God attends: one the produces dynamic Christians, that meets on a special day, that fulfills its unique responsibility, and worships a living savior. I need to attend the church God attends. I don’t need to be entertained.”
Wynn later spoke from Matthew 9:35-37 of three things how a church should look.
“If we want to make a difference and make an impact, we have to take seriously the mission God gave us. We must see with new eyes. We must serve with his heart. This passage is God’s 9-1-1 call to the church.”
Reavis also shared seven things in Paul’s words to a then budding pastor Timothy in 2 timothy 3:14-4:8.
“The pastor is a believer, is someone who admits he is a sinner, is a learner, and is a preacher. The pastor needs to know that some won’t want to hear the message. The pastor should have an evangelistic character. The pastor should know we are victors.
“If you want to see what a church should look like, look to Jesus. It is a life and death matter. There is no crown for quitting,” Reavis said.
Gaines used Elijah’s challenge to the prophets of Baal after sharing quotes of famous Christian leaders defining revival.
“God still has men and women of God. God will have the final say. When God sends a revival, he confronts wayward people. When God sends a revival he restores biblical worship. God demonstrates his presence. God devastates Satan’s stronghold. God manifest his blessings.
“The real litmus test is where you are is your prayer life. If God has called you to do anything, he has called you to pray.”
As Gaines closed, dozens of pastors came to the front to pray and sing praise to God.