A visit to www.mobaptist.org/gcc explains the significance of the annual “Great Commission Conference” to which we are all invited … which is FREE! In 2018, it is in St. Louis area at Harvester Baptist Church (St. Charles County). If reading this after the 2018 GCC dates, remember that it is anticipated to occur every year … until Jesus returns. (II Thessalonians4: 6 &7)
Matt Kearns — “Making Disciples Catalyst” with the Missouri Baptist Convention — explains the Great Commission Conference. It is an update of the former annual MBC Evangelistic Conference.
Based upon the prayer of Jesus in John 17: 20 – 23, it is hoped that many believers who are not Baptists will join their larger Christian family, be inspired and challenged by it.
(Baptists in Missouri are to be appreciated for paying for the GCC so that it will be free to ALL who attend.)
Its scriptural theme is found in the New Testament book of 2 Corinthians 5:17 – 10:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (ESV)
Great joy, comradery, and “fellowship” is the experience of those who attend. Guest leaders/speakers include Dr. James Merritt, Dr. Robert Smith, Ken Whitten, James Choung, Adam Thomason, Linda Cooper, Mark Tolbert, James Ogan, and Michael Wear.
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(I tease longtime friend Matt Kearns, the “Making Disciples Catalyst” for the MBC: “If anyone wants to know what a “catalyst” looks like, Matt’s picture is found at www.mobaptist.org/GCC!” )
Some Great Commission Men and Women Out of Missouri
On a personal note, David Hendrick – Joan Hendrick and my son (in whom we are “well pleased”) — serves on the MBC staff under Matt Kearns. David has been a part of advancing the Great Commission of Jesus (Matthew 28: 19, 20) overseas, as reflected below in earlier radio.
David and his Great Commission friend Mark Grossmann grew up together in Parker Road Church in Florissant (North St. Louis County), Mo, both came to faith in Jesus while there, and were roommates in Southwestern Seminary in Ft. Worth, TX. David serves with the MBC under the leadership Matt Kearns, the “Making Disciples Catalyst” for the MBC. Mark Grossmann is an adjunct Bible Professor at Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis. Mark’s brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Vicki Grossmann, also were young people in Parker Road Church (where I served as pastor for years) are giving their lives in serving Jesus in Guatemala … right now. A link to radio with them is also available below.
Links to some of their short stories – available for anytime listening — are found below:
To hear … “With IMB in Russia, son David Hendrick discovered IMB colleagues [South Korean-Americans] Dr. & Mrs. Yi murdered, martyred!: … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2017/02/04/with-imb-in-russia-son-david-hendrick-discovered-imb-colleagues-dr-mrs-yi-murdered-martyred/;
To hear … “Longtime with IMB, Mark Grossmann shares the inspirational Gospel summary, ‘Creation to the Cross’” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2016/08/26/longtime-imb-missionary-mark-grossmann-shares-inspirational-gospel-summary-creation-to-the-cross/;
To hear … “Son David Hendrick impacted by number of friends who have given their lives for their faith in Jesus” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2017/02/12/son-david-hendrick-impacted-by-number-of-friends-who-have-given-their-lives-for-their-faith-in-jesus/;
To hear … “Dr. Mark Grossmann/David Hendrick; specialist Mark defines strategic importance of Biblical orality” [During their overseas service, Mark and his family received very credible threats of death … and shared many tears in the need to return home.] … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2017/01/22/dr-mark-grossmanndavid-hendrick-specialist-mark-defines-strategic-importance-of-biblical-orality/;
To hear … “Son David Hendrick welcomes Khabarovsk, Russian roommate, Pastor/teacher Vladimir Lebedev to USA” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2012/03/09/son-david-hendrick-welcomes-khabarovsk-russian-roommate-pastorteacher-vladimir-lebedev-to-usa;
To hear … “IMB friend Mark Grossmann re African ‘Bible storying’ – saw ”Book of Acts ”works of God” while overseas” … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2015/07/12/missionary-friend-mark-grossmann-1-african-bible-storying-saw-book-of-acts-works-of-god/; and
To hear Mark Grossmann brother and sister-in-law … titled … “Effective missionaries Roger & Vicki Grossmann; planting their lives in Guatemala, giving their all … click on … http://haroldhendrick.com/2016/10/28/effective-missionaries-roger-planting-their-lives-in-guatemala-giving-their-all/.