NEW ORLEANS (BP) — The Southern Baptist Conference of Associational Directors of Missions will emphasize passion in ministry at its June 17-18 meeting in New Orleans.
The conference is open to all associational leaders. Registration and more details are available at www.sbcadom.org.
With the theme “Igniting Passion,” drawn from the May 20–27 Week of Prayer for Associational Missions, the sessions will challenge conference attendees to live as the early disciples did in modeling Jesus, said Johnny Rumbough, SBCADOM president and director of missions for the Lexington Baptist Association in South Carolina.
“We’re asking associational leaders to look at their vision and then choose their focus,” Rumbough said. “This would allow each local association to focus on their specific ministry passions.”
SBCADOM will meet in Leavell Chapel at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 3939 Gentilly Blvd., in advance of the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Rumbough said SBCADOM will use a variety of communication techniques, including sermons, presentations and interviews, as well as key leaders to address the importance of passion in various areas of ministry.
“When we look at the way the disciples did it in the New Testament, it worked. [Jesus] changed the world beginning with 12,” Rumbough said. “My goal is that when [the DOMs] leave, they feel like together we are able to accomplish what we’ve been commissioned and equipped to do.”
The conference is offering online a free download of the booklet, “Igniting Passions,” as its 2012 Associational Missions Emphasis Study Book.
Fred Luter, senior pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans and to date the lone nominee for SBC president, will speak on “Igniting Passion to Encourage Pastors.” Richard Blackaby, president of Blackaby Ministries International, will address “Igniting Passion to Grow Deeper with God.”
Addressing an array of topics will be Tom Billings, executive director, Union Baptist Association, Houston; David Smith, executive DOM, Austin Baptist Association in Texas; Jim Goodroe, DOM, Spartanburg County Baptist Network in South Carolina; David Lee, director of lay mobilization, Lexington Baptist Association in Kentucky; Tom Elliff, president, International Mission Board; Kevin Ezell, president, North American Mission Board; Stan Albright, national director for associations, NAMB; and John Bailey, a church planter enlistment manager, NAMB’s mobilization group.
Also on the program are Rick Robbins, DOM, Northern Kentucky Baptist Association; Sid Hopkins, executive DOM, Gwinnett Metro Baptist Association, Lawrenceville, Ga.; Terry Sharp, director/lead strategist, state and associational relations, IMB; Charles Westbrook, senior pastor, Saluda River Baptist Church, Lexington, S.C.
Conference attendees will meet June 17 from 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and June 18 from 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m., with breakout sessions from 1:30–4:30 p.m. The registration desk will open at 8 a.m. each day.
Among the breakout sessions: a financial management seminar led by Gregg Capin and Dan Campbell of the national accounting firm CapinCrouse, LLP Certified Public Accountants, specializing in serving nonprofits. Valerie Rumbough, a CPA, certified financial planner and chief operations officer of the Baptist Foundation of South Carolina, also will provide financial expertise.
Additional breakout session topics will include New DOM Orientation, led by Robbins; Spiritual Leadership, Blackaby; Missions 101: Developing a Missional Strategy, Sharp; and Church Planting Centers, Bailey.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has graciously partnered with the SBCADOMs, Rumbough said, in allowing the use of it facilities and offering economical lodging.
Conference registration is $100; $25 for spouses.
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Diana Chandler is Baptist Press’ staff writer.
