Another Conference In the Books!

Well, we just returned from attending the annual Church & Family Life Conference, this year on Making Disciples, held in Asheville, NC.

One of the highlights of the conference each year is meeting and conversing with the attendees who travel long distances to gather and listen to the scriptures being proclaimed.

We always enjoy renewing acquaintances of friends we've made over the years at these conferences and also love meeting new people attending for the first time.

This year a highlight for many was meeting Pastor Timothy Stephens, the Canadian pastor who was arrested for holding outdoor worship services during the pandemic.

Here is Pastor Stephens and his son talking with Tom, Jonathan, and our son-in-law Christopher:

This year we traveled to the men's conference which was held a couple of days earlier than the main conference and was geared towards church leaders and elders. All three of our guys thought the sessions were awesome!

Steve Lawson was one of the main speakers for this group and spoke on teaching preachers how to preach:

Since the men's conference was on Wednesday and half-day Thursday and we girls needed something to do...Hannah and I invited my sister to drive up from Greenville, SC to join us for lunch one of those days and hang out together:

Aunt Bet met her great-nephew for the first time and also saw Hannah for the first time in almost two years....it was wonderful!

We went out for pizza and took in some cute shops in the town of Black Mountain:

Also Jonathan met his four-month old nephew at the conference since he wasn't with us when we traveled to Michigan to see him as a newborn:
And, of course, Grampa took a turn too!

Lots of fellowship happens around the lunch and dinner tables:

We grabbed a chance to eat with our friends here of many years:

Lots of get-togethers like these around campus. Beautiful day for walking outside:

Our daughter Sarah texted that a friend of hers would be at the conference, so I scouted around until I found Meggan. Here I am meeting her after seeing her family's photo on Sarah's fridge for many years: Here are guys from our church in Virginia and also a friend who stopped by to meet the baby and see Hannah. I love those smiles, guys:

Between sessions folks gather for many conversations:

Musical interludes too!

Speaking of music, my favorite session of the conference was listening to Scott Aniol speak on Making Disciples through Singing at Home and Corporate Worship.

Back to the sessions in the main hall...here is Alexander Strauch, guest speaker on Biblical Eldership:

One of my favorite photos...showing Hannah and Christopher getting their little son used to being in church and hearing the word of God:

"That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children" ...Psalm 78:6

Speaking of children, this year a children's choir was formed and sang for the first time. It was great hearing their voices sing Grace Greater Than Our Sin:

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Refrain:
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide;
What can we do to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
Brighter than snow you may be today.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?

Before we realized it, the conference had come to an end! Time to pack up and go home. The conference concluded on Sunday morning with a worship service for those attendees who could stay.

Christopher and Hannah said good-bye to these new friends before heading on their way back to Michigan:

Another conference in the books...hope you enjoyed seeing what our last few days were like!

~Deb

Comments

[Sarah H]

Wish I could been there to see everyone!! Looks like you all had a great time. I'm glad you got to meet Meggan!

[Sonia]

Great wrap up!

[victoria]

So good to see you all!

[Jill]

What a great time for all. I love that you get to see Hannah and family and old friends too. Your sister must have been thrilled to meet her Great-Nephew.

[Donna]

What super reporting on your time at the conference! Love the photos, too.
How special for Uncle Jonathan to meet his nephew, and for you to be able to spend time with him again :)
So much packed in to your time with the conferences, music, fellowship and time with family.

[Cathy]

Love reading that Tim Stephens was there. James Coates was another pastor who was jailed in Canada for the “crime” of meeting during the shutdown. Such a travesty!

What a list of speakers! May the Lord continue to raise up men who are unabashed and unafraid to preach His Word boldly.

Hannah’s baby is adorable.

As usual, I loved reading of your adventures.

[Tammy C]

Looks like it was a good family reunion in along with a conference.

Cute photo of Hannah and Christopher with their son watching the children sing.