Urgency of sharing witness presented at Annual Empower Evangelism Conference

by Norm Miller

This verse provides the theme, “When Time is No More,” for the SBTC’s Empower Evangelism Conference to be held Feb. 4-6 at First Baptist Church in Euless. The verse also speaks of Jesus Christ’s glorious return to Earth, thus implying there will be no more time for sharing the good news. That day is coming with certainty, and today it is one day closer.

“I chose Revelation 1:7 because it proclaims the second coming of Jesus clearly and definitely,” said Don Cass, SBTC director of evangelism.“And that’s why I named the conference‘When Time is No More.’ We want to reinforce the urgency of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

The Empower Evangelism Conference features some of America’s leading evangelical women, as well as some of the SBC’s finest evangelists, pastors, seminary professors and musicians. And Cass believes the cadre of communicators he’s assembled for the Empower Evangelism Conference will address a broad spectrum of interests among Texas Southern Baptists.

“I want Texas Baptists to know that this is a conference for everyone, and there is no admission charge to hear these great speakers.”
Kicking off the Ladies conference at 1:30 on Monday afternoon are June Hunt, Lilliana Lewis, Barbara O’Chester and Kate Dyke- Kinsey. Each is on the cutting edge of the social and moral issues that face today’s women and their families. Hunt is a noted author, speaker and radio personality, and is founder of the Dallas-based Hope for the Heart Ministries. Lewis is the pastor’s wife at Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin and Kinsey comes from a family of music evangelists and her goal is to teach women about joy in suffering. O’Chester is the wife of Harold O’Chester, pastor emeritus at Great Hills Baptist Church, Austin, and for many years discipled women through the church's retreat ministry.

The 6:30 Monday night session features the much-in-demand speaker, Ergun Caner, president of Liberty Theological Seminary in Lynchburg, Va. A former Muslim, Caner is uniquely qualified to address his topic, “Signs of the Times.”

Joining Caner is Bob Pitman, pastor of Kirby Woods Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn. Pitman’s topic: “When Jesus Comes for His Bride.” Successful businessman and CEO of Interstate batteries, Norm Miller, will also share his insights. Music for the Monday evening session is provided by Glenview Baptist Church, Fort Worth; and John McKay, music evangelist and SBTC evangelism consultant. Also ministering throughout the Conference is the Annie Moses Band of Nashville.

Tuesday morning’s 8:30 session features John Morgan, Preston Nix and Paige Patterson. Morgan, pastor of Sagemont Church, Houston, since its 1966 founding, will speak on “A Portrait of Jesus.” Nix, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s associate professor of preaching and evangelism, will address the subject, “What Happens to those who Die Before His Return.” And Patterson — president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and author of the much-anticipated Broadman and Holman commentary on Revelation — addresses “The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.”

Stan Coffey, John Meador and Len Turner provide Tuesday afternoon’s evangelistic encouragement. Long-time pastor of the Church at Quail Creek in Amarillo, Coffey will speak on “The Great White Throne Judgment.” Meador, pastor of the 7,000-member First Baptist Church of Euless, will address his topic: “New Heaven and a New Earth.” And Turner, a vocational evangelist residing in Woodstock, Ga., and a former pastor of Greenwood Baptist Church, Weatherford, addresses “The Judgment Seat of Christ.” Tuesday afternoon features a praise and worship team from The Church on Rush Creek in Arlington.

The conference continues Tuesday evening with Claude Cone and Herb Reavis, Jr. The former executive director of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico from Albuquerque, Cone will preach on “Hell: More than a Four-Letter Word.” Reavis follows Cone with the
topic: “Heaven: The Home of the Redeemed.” Reavis is pastor of North Jacksonville Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Fla.

Tuesday evening’s music is provided by Texas based Shiloh; Chuck Sullivan, music evangelist from Grayson, GA, and the combined choirs of Colonial Hills and Friendly Baptist Churches, both located in Tyler.

Wednesday morning’s session begins at 8:45 and features Bailey Stone, Michael Gott, David Ring and John Moldovan. Retired as director of the BGCT’s evangelism division, Stone, of Allen, will preach on“When Satan is Bound.” Gott is an evangelist from Keller, who will address“Armageddon: Who Wins in the End.” And Ring, a noted evangelist from Franklin, Tenn., will speak on “God’s Last Invitation.” John Moldovan, associate dean for doctoral programs at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary will share his testimony of persecution as a Baptist pastor in a former Communist country.

The Senior Adult Choir of Travis Avenue Baptist Church adds to the Wednesday morning session’s music ministry, along with Sullivan and Shiloh.

SBTC also invites conference participants to enjoy the annual Cooperative Program luncheon between sessions on Tuesday keynoted by SBC President Bobby Welch, who is now the SBC’s Strategist for Global Evangelical Relations. Registration must be made in advance to secure tickets for this luncheon which always serves a packed crowd.

A Senior Adult luncheon on Wednesday is highlighted by the Annie Moses Band. The keynote speaker is Southern Baptist humorist Charles Lowery, president and CEO of Lowery Institute for Excellence. A former pastor, Lowery’s diverse experience also includes counselor, college professor, management consultant and corporate motivator. His unique style of humor, encouragement, and motivation have made him one of the most sought-after speakers in the country. Make reservations and purchase tickets for this luncheon at www.sbtexas.com or call 817-552-2500.

“It is my prayer that God will use this conference to create urgency and brokenness in all our lives, and that those attending will return to their cities, towns and rural communities determined to let God use them in their neighborhoods, telling families and friends about Jesus,” Cass said.

“I want every person to believe the gospel is good news — but only if you hear it in time. Jesus is coming again and it may be soon.” To stay informed about the Empower Evangelism Conference, see the link www.sbtexas.com/empower or, call the SBTC’s evangelism ministry: 817-552-2500.