For a call to be effective, there must be an answer. That was the emphasis of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma’s The Call Conference, with the theme, “Answer: Calling Out the Called.”
Oklahoma Baptist University hosted 558 students representing 99 churches for the Aug. 26 event. For 13 years The Call has helped young people who feel called by God to serve in ministry and in missions.
Brian Baldwin, who works with youth missions and evangelism for the BGCO, said The Call “meets the needs for those who are trying to discover or deepen their call.”
“It was one of the most successful Call conferences we have ever had,” he added. “There were more breakouts than we ever had.”
Fourteen sessions covered topics including “Called to Obedience,” “God’s Call in God’s Word,” “Leading Those Called,” “Church Planting,” “Small Town Ministry,” “The Way God Calls” and “Women & Ministry.”
‘Searching for God’s will’
“The Call Conference offers tangible guidance and instruction for churches that are trying to figure out what to do with kids who are called to the ministry,” Baldwin explained. “These kids are searching for God’s will.
“Everybody is called to ministry and missions; some are called to full-time ministry and to the mission field. The Call Conference helps students discern exactly what God is calling them to do.”
Baldwin noted there are more pastors over the age of 65 than under 40; and those under 40 make up only 15% of all current pastors.
“We need the next generation to answer the call,” he noted.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Chris Doyle and originally published by Baptist Messenger.
