Bible Conference Wrap-Up

by   A. C. Smith                                                                                                                                    Vol. VII, No. 10, December 1994

The theme was “Exalt the Lord”, and the speakers did just that at this year’s Virginia Baptist bible Conference.

Mark Corts, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Winston-Salem, NC, spoke on pastoral authority from the text of Hebrews 13:17, Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” The sermon was a detailed textual study. Corts applied the verse by saying, “We’re talking about a functional gift of the body of Christ. ... It is not the pastor’s task to live by surveys and polls and find out which way the people are going and then try to move.” Corts told 1,000 plus attendees that church members should submit to pastoral authority, and added, “we are all under some kind of authority.”

Phil Hoskins, pastor of Higher Ground Baptist Church in Kingsport, TN, in the evening session spoke on spiritual warfare. Using as text the story of David and Goliath, Hoskins said that churches should expect opposition from Satan.

Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church of Woodstock, GA, said that every believer is either headed into a storm, in a storm, or just coming out of a storm. “Jesus,” said Hunt, “can calm a storm in the human heart.”

The attendees elected Ron Boswell, pastor of Grove Avenue Baptist Church in Richmond, president-elect of the conference. Boswell, who was also the first speaker of the afternoon session, spoke from the text on Jesus’ turning water into wine (John 2).

The president for this coming year is Bob Reccord, pastor of First Baptist, Norfolk, the state’s largest Southern Baptist Church. Next year’s convention will be in Virginia Beach. David Johnson, pastor of Rileyville Baptist Church, was elected secretary-treasurer. The new officers are from various parts of the state, demonstrating good regional balance.

Next year’s meeting will be held on a Wednesday since the Baptist General Association of Virginia meeting will be on Thursday and Friday.