Blog 50 01 Mar 2017

2017 Pastors' Conference

Mount Hebron Baptist Church hosted over 1,000 delegates to this year's conference.  Here are some thoughts, highlights, and pictures of our week:

 

And what a conference it was! There were so many churches and ministries represented. Over a thousand people were here. 

Soulwinning:

On Wednesday, all delegates and church members who were not watching a nursery went soulwinning. In the service that night, Pastor Jonathan took the count of souls saved like we do every Sunday night; over 300 people had trusted Christ that afternoon, and twelve were baptized at the close of the service. Praise the Lord!

 These pics are of the ladies in my group.  In the pink sweater is my friend Lydia who sits with me in church and who also speaks a little English.  Her partner, Paula is in blue, and my partner, Luisa in gold and black.  Luisa led two people to the Lord and had another lady promise to be in church on Sunday.




One of the twelve people saved and baptized on Wednesday was a homeless man, Ceasar, who on Thursday surrendered his life to do God's will.  The teens of Mount Hebron took up an offering to cover his first month's rent while he looks for a job in a place near enough to church he can walk to services.

Evening Preaching:

Pastor Louis Ramos of San Louis, Mexico.  
He was my Division Leader in college.  It was a great honor to hear of the faithful service he and his wife Mrs. Karen have devoted to God's call on their lives.  They have a large church as well as a Bible Institute to train young men and women as Christian leaders. 

Pastor Kevin Wynne, Missionarry to Mexico City.
Pastor Andres Gomez, FBC Hammond, Spanish Church
and of course,
Pastor (emitrius) Tommy and Pastor Jonathan Ashcraft.

Ladies' Sessions:

Mrs. Billie Sloan

Widow of Dr Tom Sloan

Missionarry to South Mexico

Sister of Pastor Tommy Ashcraft

Mother of 8 children, all serving the Lord today.

I have ordered her autobiography and am looking forward to being encouraged by it. If you would be interested in reading it, pm me for details.

Mrs. Elizabeth Sloan Martinez
Daughter of Mrs. Billie
Missionarry to Israel

Mrs. Carrie Kaeghan
Pastor's Wife, Connecticut

Mrs Jessica Gonzalez
 Missionarry Helps Ministry

It was also great to hear Mrs. Billie's youngest daughter, Elizabeth; Mrs. Carrie, back for the conference with her husband; Mrs. Jessica was featured this year; and also Mrs. Brenda with her daughter,  Tammy who serves in El Salvador.

Mrs Jenny
I am listening to Jenny teach the Ladies' Session in Spanish. I have no idea what she is saying, but so many ladies are listening intently as she shares her heart.  She occassionally stumbles through a longer, unusual Spanish word in the Bible verses. The ladies seem to hear her love and her desire to serve more than the words.  I cannot help the swell of pride I feel as I remember the many times of teaching and learning we have shared together over the past 20+ years.  I am so grateful the Lord has woven our lives together and allowed me to see some of the fruit from seeds sown so many years ago.

Language Update:

I was encouraged that I could understand a lot more of what was being preached this year. Pastor Jonathan preached one sermon in which he repeated "Don't Change" numerous times -- "Don't Change" your message, "Don't Change" your convictions, "Don't Change" your standards, and "Don't Change" a few other things I didn't catch.

Other Excitement:

 I spent Tuesday and Thursday nights helping in the nursery. The ladies who work with the children are amazing.

Prayer Corner

1. Pray for Mt Hebron Baptist Church

      ~ Bro. Jon and Mrs. Jenny, their boys,
               and the baby on the way!

      ~ New ministries of the church

2. Pray for Mt Hebron Christian Academy

      ~ New Students
      ~ Francisco as he learns English
3. Pray for Mt Hebron Bible Institute