By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – The Church of today must look like the Church of the First Century that was Spirit-led and Gospel-centered, Waylon Bailey, pastor with First Baptist Church, Covington, said during the recent E4+ Preaching Conference.
Citing Acts 2:22-41, Bailey told a crowd of more than 80 pastors and ministry staff and 17 pastors’ wives at First Baptist Church, Pineville, that the church of today must tell the story of Jesus and live holy lives.
“What is the church of 2024?” he said. “It is the church that shares hope and that shares salvation in Christ. People are looking around and they want to know is there any hope in my life.”
“Our world needs hope and where there is hope there are going to be people,” he continued. “Where there is a way, there are going to be people. Let us be a people who tell the story of Jesus with kindness, compassion, with love toward the people around us. I want more than anything else for you to experience the peace, the love, the joy that I have found in Christ Jesus the Lord. And though my death is a lot closer than it has ever been, I also have great hope to be in the presence of God with the Savior who died for me. I believe that is the church that will make a difference in the year 2024.”
Bailey, sharing from Acts 4:1-22, added that when facing opposition and persecution, the church must respond by recognizing the opportunity in difficult times, deal with it in truth and facts, show how God works to bless lives, not shy away from the things of God and seek God’s favor.
Bailey noted that the words of Peter and John must be our words as well.
“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,” he said. “We too must declare: ‘We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard’” (Acts 4:20).
The Sept. 24 program was designed to “exemplify, encourage, equip and empower pastors to preach expositional sermons.”
The conference also featured breakout sessions for pastors and directors of youth, media/ sound, music and children, as well as ministers’ wives.
Next year’s conference, scheduled for Sept. 23, will feature Fred Luter, senior pastor with Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans, his wife, Elizabeth, and his son, Chip, FABC senior associate pastor.
FBCP Pastor Stewart Holloway told the Baptist Message the E4+ Conference, now in its 16th year, began with a desire to sharpen and encourage pastors.
“I am thankful for our partners and sponsors that help E4 continue to minister to pastors, ministry wives, and ministry staff in our churches,” he said.
