Citrus Missionary Baptist Church 2015 Bible Conference Retrospective

This past weekend I had the privilege of being able to attend the annual Bible conference hosted by the Citrus Missionary Baptist Church in Inverness, FL. I always enjoy meeting with the saints of God there and had a great time. Troy Sheppard is the pastor there and during the meeting he announced to us that this year marks his 20th year as their pastor. That is a tremendous statement of God’s faithfulness, Troy’s faithfulness, and the churches faithfulness.

There was no stated theme of the meeting, but I rejoiced in how the messages fit together. On Friday night, brother John Pruitt, pastor of the Buffalo Valley Baptist Church in Clay, WV kicked things off by preaching on the “Love of God”.  In the message, we were reminded that God’s love is an everlasting love, a love that is longsuffering, a love that is sacrificial, and unconditional.

Tom Horn, pastor of the Ella Grove Baptist Church in Glennville, GA preached on the Possible Impossibility from Hebrews 10. He was the first of a few preachers who announced that they were preaching messages at the conference from the book they were currently preaching through at their home church. That was encouraging to hear. Preaching on the first 19 verses of Hebrews 10, he brought out that in verses 1-4 we see the impossibility of perfection; verses 5-14 shows us the person of perfection; verses 15-18 as the proof of perfection; and verse 19 is the pathway to perfection. How tempting it is to fall into the trappings of religion, that can not save and forsake Christ, who can. A good way to end a Friday.

The cold wintry chill Saturday morning was a stark contrast to the warmth of the hospitality and hot  breakfast prepared by the dear ladies of the church. Well rested and well fed, we entered into the building for day two, which was packed with good preaching as well as attendees. Folding chairs filled the aisles between the pews making their way all the way back into the foyer of the building. It was encouraging to see so many people who had come to hear the Word of God preached. It was difficult to estimate the number that had gathered on Saturday morning, but if we had not reached standing room only, it could not have been far off.

Brother Al Lyons who is the pastor of the Grace Baptist Church in Fairmount, GA, preached to us from Genesis 32:1-2. His message brought out God’s grace in protecting and guarding his people. It is precious to hear such faith and encouraging Words from man of whom both he and his wife are facing health issues. Brother Lyons reminded us that we would be amazed if we could but see the angels of God among us and should be encouraged to remember that God cares for His own. He mentioned something as an aside, but it hit a chord with me; God will accomplish His will. No matter what happens in our life, God’s plan is being carried out, and being in Christ, we can rejoice in that truth.

Paul Sandelin traveled the furthest, making his way from Naples Idaho. He is the pastor of the Bible Believers Baptist Church. His message was on God’s Word and how it must be held up in a prominent place in the lives of the believers. Illustrating the point with the rod of God that Moses held in Exodus 17, that we too must hold the Word of the Lord in high esteem. The Word of God will bring correction, and must be used in combat, and held for comfort. He mentioned something that stuck with me, that if we have a heavy intake of media and a low intake of Bible, what will be doing the instruction and correction in our lives?

Sam Wilson, pastor of the Grace Baptist Church in Gladwin, MI finished up the morning session with message from Ephesians 2:8-9 on salvation by grace. Grace is the sinner’s confidence, and the Sovereign God’s cure, and spurs the a commitment to service of our great Savior. Pastor Wilson also informed us that the Grace Baptist Church is now is over the Landmark Baptist, a quarterly paper edited by Bob Belanger. I was unaware of the church taking oversight of the paper and I believe it will be a good fit.

After another delicious meal prepared by the church, and a time of fellowship on the grounds, we entered round two for the afternoon session. Andy Wilson preached to us from John 1 on the greatness, grace, and glory of Christ. A great subject and a great message.

Justin Meier, traveling from Mount Vernon, Ohio,  finished the session off preaching on More than Conquerors in Christ, taking his text from Romans 8:37. Ultimately, we will overcome the world, because Christ has overcome the world. By faith, we must remember that Christ will set all things right in the end and we have the assurance in Christ, that we have everlasting life and nothing can separate us from the love of God found in Christ Jesus.

This was the final session of the day, and following the preaching some stayed for some 'pickin and grinnin'. A few of us gathered together playing music and singing hymns. An eclectic mix of piano, mandolin, guitars, and yours truly on the resonator made for a good mix of musical styles. We were blessed throughout the meeting with special songs by the saints of God worshiping their King. The congregational singing was outstanding, hearing the many voices uplifting God's name in praise.   

Sunday, the temperature had warmed and the nice weather of a Florida winter was enjoyed for both an outdoor breakfast and lunch. One delightful blessings at these conferences is seeing the children play out in the church yard. It is good to see so many young children in the house of God. Parents running after little ones who are enjoying the thrill of being set free from sitting still in church, friendships being forged and made; a delightful sight to behold. As a preacher’s kid myself, who attended more than my fair share of meetings as a youth, I wonder what God has in store for these young ones?

Pastor Sheppard told us that we would be having three preachers and two speakers. The third speaker was a baptismal service. Believers baptism does indeed preach a powerful message and we were privileged to witness this ordinance Sunday morning. We only have two visible pictures in the New Covenant, that of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper and it is always a joy to witness a believer following their Lord in the water.

Leroy Pack opened the morning service by preaching on The Church Militant, taking his text from Nehemiah 4:1-12. The Lord’s people must be ready to serve with a mind to work. It is always good to hear Brother Pack preach.

Next was the baptismal service and the candidate was the pastors daughter. Witnessing the ancient practice of believers baptism, a saved sinner following their Lord’s example and command by going into the water, picturing His death, burial, and resurrection is always a wonderful sight. To see a soul who has been saved by God’s grace, rise up out of the water to walk in newness of life is a powerful message. Added to the glories of the truth put on display, we also were witness to a joyful moment as a father had opportunity to administer this ordinance to his very own child. It was a tender and touching moment to see Pastor Sheppard hug his daughter in the baptismal pool.

The event had me overwhelmed. I was thankful that there were several songs sang after the baptism to allow me to gain my composure, because I was the last preacher of the day. I closed the meeting out on a message from Ephesians 3:8 on The Unsearchable Riches of Christ. I mentioned a book in the course of my preaching that I had used in my preparation, but I am almost certain I butchered then name of the book. It was Life in Christ by Jeremy Walker.

We dismissed the service having been fed spiritually, we were fed once more by the hard workers of the church and departed on our separate ways. It is always good to meet up with old friends and make new ones. I hate goodbyes. Makes me long for the day when there will be no more.