The missions and outreach potential of this year's “P.E.A.C.E. in 21-C” conference with Rick and Kay Warren has inspired Highlands Fellowship Church in Abingdon to offer to pay the registration fees for two key leaders from any Baptist General Association of Virginia church to attend.
Pastor Jimmie Davidson describes this offer as “an act of love from our church. We believe Jesus really meant the Great Commission, and this is a way for us to encourage people to do missions together, no matter who we are or what part of the state we are from.”
Highlands Fellowship averages 2,600 in attendance at its venues in Abingdon and Bristol. One of the hallmarks of the church is the willingness of so many who use their abilities and talents to demonstrate God's love in practical ways. “We believe that the P.E.A.C.E. plan provides very tangible, missional opportunities for those seeking to follow the Great Commission,” according to Davidson.
The P.E.A.C.E. in 21-C conference will be held at The St. Paul's Baptist Church in Richmond Feb. 2-3.
To take advantage of Highlands Fellowship's offer, BGAV churches may register two leaders for free online at www.
21-c.org/HighlandsOffer; additional participants from the same church must register separately at www.21-c.org. BGAV churches who have already registered and would like to request a refund of the registration fees for two participants should contact Penny Jenkins at the Virginia Baptist Mission Board at 800.ALL.BGAV (255.2428), ext. 1212 or penny.jenkins@vbmb.org.
P.E.A.C.E. in 21-C will feature Rick and Kay Warren, co-founders of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. The Warrens and other Saddleback staff members will help Virginia Baptists discover how to implement the P.E.A.C.E. Plan (www.thepeaceplan.com), developed by the Warrens to address problems of global proportions.
The P.E.A.C.E. acronym represents:
• Plant churches (addresses the problem of spiritual emptiness).
• Equip servant leaders (addresses the problem of corrupt leadership).
• Assist the poor (addresses the problem of extreme poverty).
• Care for the sick (addresses the problem of pandemic diseases).
• Educate the next generation (addresses the problem of illiteracy and lack of education).
Rick Warren is senior pastor of Saddleback Church and the author of the best-selling book, The Purpose-Driven Life, and Kay Warren has become a leader in helping Christians respond to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. She speaks about her own ignorance of the AIDS crisis and asks others to join her in ministering to AIDS victims.
The conference will also feature case studies of six Virginia Baptist churches that mirror the P.E.A.C.E. initiative. Through video presentations and live interviews, these churches and their pastors will share their congregational stories and ministry strategies.
Saturday tracks will include specific training for implementing the P.E.A.C.E Plan in local churches, an opportunity for dialogue with the pastors of the featured churches, a discussion of principles of ministry to persons with AIDS, a workshop for worship leaders and an exploration of immediate ministry-response possibilities through Virginia Baptist Mission Board partners.
The conference schedule and lodging and travel information are available at www.21-c.org.