Christian Conferencing TOMORROW at newhope!

Many of you know that I am a huge John Wesley fan. John Wesley was a minister in the Church of England and lived during the 18th century. (1703 – 1791) He eventually left the Anglican Church and founded the Wesleyan movement in the United States of America. I truly believe he was one of, if not the, greatest Christian ever, outside of the Apostle Paul. He was a brilliant revolutionary who was a master at organizing believers in order to help facilitate growth and discipleship. One such method by which he organized believers was called, “Holy Conferencing.”

Holy Conferencing entails the gathering of believers to Worship, teach the Word, and embark upon the work of the Church. Tomorrow, newhope will host our very first conference. Somewhere around 350 pastors and leaders will descend upon our campus from about 8 am – 9 pm! This particular gathering will consist of pastors and laity from across the eastern part of North Carolina.

The day will consist of worship, church business, vision casting, Holy Communion and the ordination of pastors into full time ministry. I will be teaching tomorrow night around 6 pm, before serving Holy Communion and the ordination of these pastors.

Will you pray for this conference?

The potential of Christian Conferencing is unbelievable! That is why I love to attend conferences. That is why we have a vision to host conferences and bless other pastors and churches. Check it out – if you bless a pastor, you bless a congregation. If you bless a congregation, you can bless a city. If you bless enough cities, you can bless a state. If you bless enough states, you can bless a nation. And if you bless a nation, particularly one like America, you can bless and impact the world for Christ!

John Wesley would often refer to Colossians 3:15 - 17 when he instructed his pastors to conference together. The Word of the Lord says this:

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:15-17 - New International Version)

My prayer is that those three verses will come alive tomorrow as newhope hosts its very first conference. I think Wesley would be proud that we still conference together. Most importantly, I am hopeful the day blesses the heart of our Father.