Hosted by the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, the event featured Mississippi-based speakers addressing church revitalization, leadership development, women in ministry and international missions.
In a world facing serious problems of hunger, poverty and environmental degradation: “We need hope, and we need it badly,” said Father Emmanuel Katongole, professor of theology and peace studies at Notre Dame University.
Braving stormy conditions, more than 500 women from across Tennessee converged at Dickson First Baptist Church on April 4-5 for the annual Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) Get-Together.
For the past 15 years, the retreat has offered brothers and sisters in Christ an opportunity for fellowship and spiritual instruction in both Mandarin and English.
“When they are at work in the church, they are very isolated,” said Tzib. “But with these events, it has been a blessing for them to grow closer and discuss the similar challenges they face.”
A “movement” focused on reengaging North America with the gospel that has been brewing for almost a decade is beginning to take a more defined shape, and Texas Baptists have quite a few seats at the table.
“Real change means real change. Sometimes a patch won’t do,” Iorg said. He added that major change requires whatever new structures, policies, procedures and budgets are needed to successfully implement that change.
Ray Gentry, president and CEO of SBCAL, said the three-day retreat was geared toward training and continuing education but also designed to help associational leaders “make friends and deepen friendships.”
“We honed in on four principles … more focused on the essence of church planting,” said Brian Hook, who is also a church planting catalyst for the North American Mission Board’s Send Network, a conference sponsor.
With more than 7,000 in attendance and 2,000 going to the altar, the Unite Kentucky event in Rupp Arena on Wednesday has continued a growing move among college students and young adults.
