May The Joy of the Lord Be Your Strength!

Remember when there was a big hole in the ground just a little too close to 1st Baptist Church? Opened in 1996, as the Nashville Arena and formerly known as the Gaylord Entertainment Center (now the Sommet Center), this building was built with the music and sports fan in mind. Great acoustics, sight lines and a economic boost to downtown, God had His plans in mind as well!



Think about all the events and expressed prayers that have taken place in the area - notably in 1885 when Nashville riverboat Captain Thomas Green Ryman was converted by southern evangelist Sam Jones and decides to build a tabernacle - Union Gospel Tabernacle (later to be renamed the Ryman Auditorium) - to serve the city's revivals.

At the Sommet Center, many God-glorifying events have taken place - they include the Promise Keepers Clergy Event, which was the largest gathering of clergy ever in Nashville, Women of Faith, Focus On the Family's Renewing the Heart, Jubilees, The Gathering, Passion Ministry, The Southern Baptist Convention and now, Promise Keepers returns yet again for an encore from 2005 and 2001. The theme back in 2001 was “Turn the Tide: Living Out An Extreme Faith.” Promise Keepers founder Bill McCartney said the current culture is pulling men away from faith in God. Instead, McCartney said, an extreme faith is required to represent Christ to families and communities. Joe White portrayed a Roman cross-builder, constructing a 12-foot cross on stage. Thousands responded by tacking handwritten confessions to the cross.

We had the honor to see what God did in August of 2005 at “The Awakening - An Unpredictable Adventure” as Promise Keepers marked its 15th year of conference ministry - It was a crowning achievement to an incredible year as over 3,300 gave their hearts to Jesus for the first time, while thousands of others came forward to rededicate their lives during the twenty city confernce season.

“And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” - Paul’s Letter to the Church at Rome, chapter 13, verse 11 (NIV).

Now with thirty days in, we are ready for A Flood: Let the Adventure Begin!

In your volunteer efforts, every phone call made, every email sent, every encouraging word spoken, every point of action completed and every prayer uttered will set in motion what God wants to do in the hearts of men July 20 - 21. Is it a lot of work? Sure it is! But keep in mind as you are volunteering and recruiting for your teams, there are men in churches and the marketplace doing the hard work as well of inviting their brothers, fathers, sons, coworkers and neighbors to attend the conference as well!

If you look carefully Friday afternoon in the surrounding parking lots, you may spot some skid marks of tennis shoes of men who are hesitant to attend! Rest assure, it will be worth it! 1 Timothy 2:3-7 "...God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

So stay focused on the assignment that you have been entrusted with, delegate! delegate! delegate!, set the tone as a servant leader, shamelessly recruit, stay encouraged and lean on the Lord as the conference date draws near. One key to remember is watch your sleep levels as well - get plenty of rest - "when fatigue walks in, faith walks out."

- May the joy of the Lord be your strength!

Kerry