2004 Pastors’ Conference

by   T. C. Pinckney                                                                                                                                 Vol. XVII, No. 6, June/July 2004

 For the first time in several years two candidates were nominated for Pastors’ Conference president. In the absence of Adrian Rogers, unable to attend for health reasons, Johnny Hunt nominated Steven Gaines, pastor of First BC, Gardendale, AL.

Stan Coffey, pastor of San Jacinto BC, Amarillo, TX, nominated Terry Fox, pastor of Immanuel BC, and trustee chairman of the North American Mission Board.

At the Pastors’ Conference, only pastors vote, and no ballot votes are taken. When Ted Traylor, this year’s president, called for all pastors present to stand for Gaines and then Fox, Gaines was the clear winner, although Fox received considerable support.

Other officers elected are: First VP, Scott Wilkins, a church planter; and Secretary-Treasurer, David Thompson, pastor of North Pointe Community church, Old Hickory, TN.

As usual, the Pastors’ Conference was blessed with outstanding speakers, even though Adrian Rogers and Stephen Olford were unable to be present because of health concerns. In alphabetical order, the speakers were Voddie Baucham, Ergun Caner (former Muslim), Ronnie Floyd, Mike Haley, Ed Hinson, Johnny Hunt, Fred Luter, Paul Negrut (president of Emmanuel Theological Seminary in Oradea, Romania), Paige Patterson, Bryan Smith, Jerry Vines, Don Wilton, and special testimony by Eddie Echarri.

In contrast to some recent years when the volume and tempo have been so intense that the music was not enjoyable, this year the program was varied, interesting, and worshipful. I particularly enjoyed songs by Leo Day and a men’s trio called Greater Vision.