BEARING MUCH FRUIT: SBTC messengers to meet

ARLINGTON?Messengers to the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention will gather at Arlington Convention Center Nov. 12-13 to conduct the convention’s annual meeting in its ninth year.

The annual meeting is preceded by the SBTC Crossover evangelistic events in cooperation with Arlington churches Nov. 9-10, and the SBTC Bible Conference Nov. 11-12 at First Baptist Church of Fort Worth (Nov. 11) and the Arlington Convention Center (Nov. 12).

The annual meeting will include a sermon from Thom Rainer, president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources; comedian Dennis Swanberg, who is the keynote for the President’s Luncheon; and a special video presentation detailing the fruit of SBTC ministries.

“Your SBTC staff planned these activities for the benefit of all Texas Baptists, and I believe all will be blessed by what could be one of the best events of this year,” said SBTC Executive Director Jim Richards. “That’s why I urge everyone to make it a November to remember by helping in the evangelism of Crossover Arlington, to hear the exposition of God’s Word at the Bible Conference, and to have their hearts encouraged at our annual meeting by what God has accomplished through the SBTC in the last year.”

During the annual meeting, numerous pastors from small, medium and large churches will preach on the convention theme “Bearing Much Fruit,” taken from John 15:5: “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

SBTC President Steve Swofford, pastor of First Baptist Church of Rockwall, will deliver the President’s Message during the Monday evening session. Michael Lewis, pastor of Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, will preach the Convention Sermon Tuesday morning.

The First Baptist Church of Rockwall choir and orchestra will lead music, along with Southwestern Seminary’s Chamber Chorale; Darrell Goldman of Memorial Baptist Church, Grapevine; Rick Sandlin of Calvary Baptist Church of Mesquite, and Tony Watson of Emory Baptist Church of Emory.

Reports from SBTC affiliated ministries include Criswell College, East Texas Baptist Family Ministry, Texas Baptist Home for Children and Jacksonville College. SBC entities will also deliver reports.
The SBTC website has a page?sbtexas.com/Arlington?which includes hotel web links and directions to FBC Fort Worth and the Arlington Convention Center.

BIBLE CONFERENCE
Formerly known as the SBTC Pastors’ Conference, the SBTC Bible Conference will hold its opening session beginning at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11 at the First Baptist Church of Fort Worth before moving the next day to the Arlington Convention Center, site of the SBTC annual meeting, which follows the conference.

“The logistics this year are such that First Baptist Church of Fort Worth graciously offered its worship center for the Sunday night session of the Bible Conference. However, the next day (Monday, Nov. 12), we’ll look forward to continuing the Bible Conference at the Arlington Convention Center leading right up to the annual meeting,” said Troy Brooks, SBTC director of minister-church relations.

The theme for the 2007 SBTC Bible Conference is “Give Me This Mountain,” taken from Joshua 14:12, which records 85-year-old Caleb asking God: “Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you have heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said.”

Three aspects of Caleb’s striving will be highlighted during the conference: “Striving Through the Fire,” “Staying with Faithfulness” and “Seeing by Faith.”

Among the scheduled speakers are Fred Lowery, pastor of First Baptist Church of Bossier City, La.; Ted Traylor, pastor, Olive Baptist Church, Pensacola, Fla.; Greg Matte, pastor of First Baptist Church of Houston; and Earnest Easley, pastor of Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga.

The Bible Conference will feature a combined choir and orchestra from Fort Worth area churches, as well as The Wills, a family-based Gospel singing group, and vocalist and songwriter Luke Garrett.

LUNCHEONS
The following luncheons are scheduled:

?Women’s Luncheon: Begins 12:15 p.m. Monday, featuring noted author and former television actress Lisa Whelchel, who is best known for her nine-year starring role as Blair Warner on NBC’s “The Facts of Life.” She recently received an Angel Award for her dedication to promoting quality, family oriented communication. Contact Judy Van Hooser in the SBTC office for tickets to the luncheon. Price is $10 per person.

?President’s Luncheon: Begins at noon Tuesday featuring comedian Dennis Swanberg. Cost is $10 per person.

Tickets for both luncheons may be purchased online at sbtexas.com/Arlington.
Questions may be directed via e-mail to rkent@sbtexas.com, or call Randi Kent at 817-552-2500 or toll free at 877-953-7282.