Re: April 17, 2007 Ministers Conference of Winston-Salem & Vicinity

Devotional

Rev. Nance, opened devotion with hymn, ‘Draw Me Nearer’, the reading of Romans 12:1. Dr. Jones led our prayer.

Call to Order & Inspirational Talk

Rev. Dr. Linda Beal opened the conference with the call to order and welcoming the body to this week’s conference and business session held at Winston Lake YMCA. This was a special meeting where the Zimbabwe group was with us.

Dr. Sid Kelly shared the parable of the prodigal son. Kelly says a better name for it is ‘A Man Had Two Sons.’ The youngest son wanted his share of the inheritance rather than wait for his father to die. He went off to Gentile country and ended up tending Gentile pigs. At some point he came to himself and returned looking for a job. A joyful scene it was, the father seeing his son…they celebrated with a banquet. Then, the father had to deal with his other son’s disappointment of him never having a banquet of his own. The father tells this son, ‘All I have will be yours, your brother who was gone and dead to us has returned! Rejoice with me that he is home again!’

Kelly says that as it is hard for fellow employees to rejoice, thus it is hard for even blood brothers to rejoice. It is true that financially all that the father had would be left to this son but he wanted more. He wanted a celebration of love from his father. Kelly says that we might all need such a celebration of love for us. “We all need love.” Kelly said.

Reading of the Minutes

The April 10th conference were read and accepted with proper corrections.

Special Address from the Zimbabwe Group to Conference

Rev. Dennis Dhlua and Rev. Josiah Tanyara, from Zimbabwe, addressed the conference. Rev. Bass introduced these gentlemen who are concerned with the situation in Zimbabwe. Rev. Dhlua stood and asked the conference two questions extracted from Genesis 3:9,4:9 Where are you? and Where is your brother? He says there are so many people who don’t know about Zimbabwe and the little they do know is from the news. He informed the conference that the best way to know about Zimbabwe is to come to Zimbabwe. He says it is proper for Americans to feel, know, and experience what their other brothers and sisters are doing. “I would like for us to smile together” Dhlua expressed.

Rev. Josiah Tanyara spoke of some of the happenings in Zimbabwe. The Baptist Convention of Zimbabwe is an organization with, at least, 146 churches with 60-70 pastors. Most of these churches are in the rural area. The economy is bad right now and they will experience a bad drought this year, Tanyara informed. This convention has many programs to help those in need: men, women, and youth programs. They help train people in discipleship; they have a mission department, seminary, hospital, and school for kids from all over the country.

They informed the conference that the most pressing needs are: finishing the water project and the aiding of orphans, single parents, and preschool programs. They invited the conference to come to Zimbabwe, as they would love to have us.

Reports New/Old Business

A. Review of Conference Calendar

April 20, 2007 at 8am the 2^nd Annual Golf Tournament will occur.

B. Review of Conference Projects

Sick Report

Community Presentation(s)

Mrs. Bonner and Mrs. Fowler from C.H.A.N.G.E announced Clergy Caucus meeting to be held Thursday at Friends Meeting House @ 7pm. Metro Council meeting at Union Baptist Church @ 6:30pm. Bonner says city council agreed to continue discussion regarding education. Fowler’s update on the educational action team was that they are making sure school standards are met, creating a bond-oversight team; making sure parent advocacy seminars takes place and other pertinent needs of our community are met.

Announcement(s):

Rev. Gilliam informed the conference that he would be installed on June 2 at Atkins High School.

Rev. Watlington introduced Rev. Nathan Scovens, new pastor of Galilee Baptist Church, to the conference.

Order of the Day

Rev. Sanders led the hymn ‘Leaning On the Everlasting Arms.’ Dr. Rowdy introduced Rev. Juanita Tatum pastor emeritus of Greater Mt. Moriah.

Rev. Tatum spoke from the subject, ‘The Sign of the Times Teaches Us That There Is Much Work To Be Done’, with emphasis on John 9:1. Tatum says there is so much frustration in the world because we rely on gods rather than God. She says that with the god of pleasure: thrills play out; the god of money is an uncertain deity, for love and friendship money can’t buy. “We must rediscover God’s grace”, proclaimed Tatum.

Rev. Tatum illuminates the example of Jesus in the text. She makes three essential points. (1) Do the work of Him that sent you. In the text, Jesus was passing by and he had his eye on them. Tatum says He’s watching us as leaders and we must do the right things. (2) Jesus informed the people. Tatum says as leaders we must be those persons who inform as God is always informing us. (3) Jesus set an example in the text. Leaders must be the example, Tatum says, we must be on the watch looking for those who need our help. We must tell about Jesus, being ministers of hope.

Rev. Tatum reminded us that we should be seeking the lost, respect one another and let all know Jesus is our King, our Lord of Lords!

The body rose to give Rev. Tatum a rousing vote of thanks for her message.

Attendance & Offering

Attendance – 25 persons

Offering – see Rev. Sanders

Membership – $0.00

Adjournment (Prayer and Benediction)

Having no further business the conference adjourned with prayer and benediction.