By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
PINEVILLE – Southern Baptist Convention President Steve Gaines is the keynote speaker for next week’s E4 Preaching Conference.
Gaines, who is pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn., will bring messages during three sessions of the annual conference Sept. 20 at First Baptist Church Pineville.
In addition to Gaines’ messages and music by the First Baptist Pineville praise team, the conference will also feature breakout sessions on such topics as Biblical examples of how doctrinal preaching helps in discouraging times, preaching through a crisis, preaching on the Trinity and preaching on social issues: how can I preach on social issues without devolving into the social gospel? Professors from Louisiana College, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary will lead the breakout sessions.
Those attending the conference will have the opportunity to win numerous giveaways, valued at a total of $2,500. The North American Mission Board is providing lunch along with giveaway items including numerous books, an iPad mini, an iPad, blue tooth speakers and an Apple TV.
Steve Gaines delivers his message during the 2016 State Evangelism Conference at First Baptist Church Lafayette.
Pastors displaced by last month’s flood in southern Louisiana will have the opportunity to attend E4 at no charge. Conference organizer Stewart Holloway is challenging other pastors and churches not affected by the flood to donate books, commentaries and other Bible study tools to those pastors who lost much of their personal libraries.
“We have a unique opportunity this year to learn from our convention president and bless our fellow pastors affected by recent flooding in our state,” said Holloway, pastor of First Pineville. “There’s no better year for you to join us for E4. I can’t wait.”
The E4 Conference began in 2009 with a vision to exemplify, encourage, equip and empower our pastors to preach expositional sermons. Past speakers have included Don Wilton, pastor of First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, SC; Fred Lowery, pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church in Bossier City; and David Uth, pastor of First Baptist Church in Orlando.
Sponsored by the LBC pastoral leadership team, the conference begins on Sept. 20 with registration at 8 am and ends at 5 pm. The cost of the conference is $75 for ministers. Lunch is provided at the church.
Participants can register online at louisianabaptists.org/e4 or call 800.622.6549, ext. 292.
