By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
RUSTON, La. (LBM) – Nearly 700 small group leaders and pastors, collectively, were encouraged to strengthen their discipleship efforts during recent multiple ReGroup events.
ReGroup South, hosted Aug. 1 by First Baptist Church, Lafayette, drew 415 attendees. Meanwhile, ReGroup North, hosted Aug. 8 by Temple Baptist Church, Ruston, had 272 participants.
Reggie Bridges, pastor with Temple Baptist, Ruston, was the keynote speaker for both events. Leading worship were Crescent City Worship, a worship team with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (ReGroup South), and Firm Foundation, a worship band from Ruston (ReGroup North).
The conferences featured age-graded breakout sessions for leaders in the areas of worship, adults, young adults, college, youth, children, preschool, men and women.
Louisiana Baptists’ evangelism and church growth team also offered a drawing at each location for a marriage discipleship retreat at WinShape in Rome, Georgia. Scott Beardsley, pastor with East Ridge Baptist Church, Lake Charles (ReGroup South), and Brent Shoalmire, pastor of discipleship and administration with First Baptist Church, Natchitoches (ReGroup North), were the winners.
“Both ReGroup conferences were wonderful,” Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Strategist Kevin Ulmer told the Baptist Message. “I heard so many encouraging comments from the participants, volunteers, and leaders. The general sessions were inspiring, and the breakout sessions were encouraging and insightful. There were breakout leaders from various locations and backgrounds that brought a diverse range of sessions covering numerous discipleship contexts.
“I am grateful for everyone who made this year’s ReGroup a success,” he said. “May God use the ReGroup conference to yield fruitful discipleship ministries across our state.”
ReGroup North, hosted Aug. 8 by Temple Baptist Church, Ruston, had 272 participants. The conference featured messages by Temple Baptist Pastor Reggie Bridges, music by Firm Foundation (a worship band from Ruston) and age-graded breakout sessions. Submitted photo
Dusty Durbin, associational mission strategist with Evangeline Baptist Association, provided funds for 94 small group leaders and pastors in his association to attend ReGroup South.
“Louisiana Baptists provide an excellent training focusing on discipleship and Sunday school,” he said. ‘So, we believed one way for us to serve the churches of EBA and help promote the event was to cover the registration cost for members of EBA churches.”
Andrew Bates, pastor with Calvary Baptist Church, Ruston, said his church enlisted 32 of its leaders to attend ReGroup North.
“As the Church, Jesus’s last words are our first work – to make disciples,” he said. “ReGroup offered us a chance to offer training to many of our leaders to deepen our disciple making efforts across all ministries.
“Many of our leaders immediately implemented some of the practical takeaways they received at the conference within their ministries and are already seeing fruit,” he continued. “I’m grateful to the LBC team for prioritizing discipleship as well as Dr. Reggie and Temple Baptist Church for graciously hosting us.”
Next year ReGroup is scheduled for Aug. 7 (First Baptist Church, Haughton) and Aug. 14 (Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles).
