MOORE — Hundreds of Oklahoma Baptists attended the annual Advance Conference, March 2-3 at Moore, First. This annual event focuses on equipping pastors and church leaders with skills and methods to improve the mission work in their church.
Alan Quigley opened the first session by welcoming everyone and highlighting the speakers who were about to present. After that, Oklahoma City, Quail Springs’ worship team led in praise.
Monty Patton, Arizona Mission Network, spoke during the first session of the Advance Conference from John and Peter. He focused on instructing pastors in finding the “one” person to minister to. The core of missions is taking the Gospel to those who haven’t heard it and make disciples.
Another advantage to discipling one person or a group of people is that pastors can find the person they want to replace them. The next generation of disciple makers can only be made by those who are willing to make disciples. Patton warned pastors not to take on more than they are prepared for and only focus on the important things.
Following a lunch break, Oklahoma City, Quail Springs pastor Connor Bales called pastors to focus more on disability ministry. As a father who has two children with disabilities, Bales is dedicated to reaching those in the church who are often unreached.
Another set of worship was led by Oklahoma City, Quail Springs before Bales returned for the second session. He emphasized the importance of listening to what the Lord is saying and baptism. He also encouraged pastors to not stay silent, saying that words are required to preach the Gospel.
After a short break and time of worship, Mark Croston, National Director of Black Church Ministries for Lifeway, spoke on the steps of discipling: Teach, Train, Tutor, Test, Repeat. Croston said that the average church goer is not good at discipling, but by following the steps they can get better.
Then Zack Randles, pastor at Washington, D.C., Waterfront, delivered the final sermon for Monday. Randles focused on what the Gospel was made for, sinners, and that pastors need to be willing to get their hands dirty to reach those who are lost. He reminded pastors that it takes time for movements to begin and to rely on God’s timing for all things.
The next day, Tues., March 3, began with numerous breakout sessions that covered all areas of ministry. Topics included children’s ministry, artificial intelligence usage in the church, how to evangelize and more. After two sets of breakouts, attendees took a lunch break before returning for the final session of the Advance Conference.
Joe Sherrer opened the pre-session with guidance on how pastors should structure their Sunday Schools. He said that classes should focus on teaching, outreach and ministry, being genuine in wanting to teach those who attend.
Finally, Robert Smith, Distinguished Professor of Divinity at Beeson Divinity School of Samford University, spoke for the final session of the Advance Conference. He opened with an explanation of “imago dei,” image of God, and “missio dei,” the mission of God. Smith reminded pastors that they must be focused on both by proclaiming the Gospel and magnifying Who God is.
For more information on Advance Conference, visit oklahomabaptists.org/evangelism/advance-conference/.
