Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ,The time is nearing for our 2019 Southwest District Congress of Christian Education to take place. We will be hosted on July 14-18, 2019 by Section #1, Rev. Johnny Harris, President and the Pastor of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church, Gurdon. All our day activities and classes will be held at the Peake Elementary School, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and all our night activities will be held at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. We need your support to be all God want us to be as a district.

We will again highlight the Parade of Pastors and Ministers during the pre-musical on Sunday night (I have a record of 97 of us, let’s show up with high participation), and also, the Prayer Breakfast on Monday morning for all ministers and their spouses will be held at Gennesaret Baptist Church. The same purpose remains, to have a strong showing of leadership in the beginning of the Congress. Pastors and preachers, you are precious to God, and as God’s chosen leaders we need each of you out front when it matters the most. The certified class in “Systematic Theology” for ministers will continue. This class will take place on Monday, July 15, 2019, at 10 a.m. after the official opening. On Tuesday, July 16 – Thursday, July 18, 2019 during the 10-Noon seminar we hope to encourage each of you by covering the following help subjects:

The Unique Role of a Pastor

As a pastor—as a human being—you will experience change and countless other causes of stress in your own life. This section may help you with some of the battles you'll face as you serve God in ministry.

Finding Balance in Your Ministry

Stress multiplies when we try to balance too many activities and obligations at one time. We wonder. How can I be true to myself, my Lord, my church, my family, my financial obligations? Just as our vehicles need to undergo regular maintenance checks in order to run smoothly, perhaps we should consider regular "life" checks to help us balance four major obligations: our personal lives, our professions, our families, and our finances.

BE TRUE TO YOURSELF

Life is a journey of discovery. We often become so concerned about others that we don't take time to discover ourselves.

MANAGE ON-THE-JOB STRESS

Ministry is never finished! It has been going on since the days of the Old Testament and will continue long after we are gone. There will always be people in crisis, pastoral calls to make, sermons to write, more expenses than income. Sometimes you need an attitude adjustment, other times you need new systems of organization, and still other times you need to just let go.

KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING

Other pastors can lead your congregation, but no one can take your place in your family. You have a unique ministry to your spouse and children. At the end of your life, you will not regret missing a meeting at the church, but you will regret time you didn't spend with your loved ones.

PUT YOUR FINANCES TO THE TEST

Money is rarely the root of our stress; rather, it is our attitude toward money that usually causes stress. When it came to material things, Paul wrote that he had learned to be content (Philippians 4:11-13). It takes money to live, but have you noticed that the more money you make, the more it takes to live?

Prayerfully Submitted,

Alvin Hunter, Congress President

UPCOMING CONGRESS/REVIVAL EVENTS 2019

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