There are tons of worthwhile, high-profile conferences going on all over the place.  And with the plethora of big names and big events, there’s the likelihood that we may overlook and miss out on some smaller events with as much or more punch for our spiritual lives and ministries.  Big isn’t always better.  Faithful is always the measure.  So, it’s a joy to highlight two conferences coming up in the next couple months that feature godly, faithful pastors serving the body of Christ.  If you’re looking for fellowship to go along with the word, check these out:

New Life Bible Conference (Vernon Hills, IL)

One of the high points of my year each year for the past four or five years has been the annual New Life Bible Conference held in Vernon Hills, Ill, just outside of Chicago.  Pastor Louis Love and the saints at New Life are among the most joyful, hospitable, Spirit-filled folks you’ll ever want to fellowship with.  And each year my wife and I look forward to this spiritual shot in the arm.

Truth in advertising: I have the privilege of being one of this year’s speakers.  So, you might think I’m biased.  But here’s another brother’s take on the conference.  Bottom line: Come and you’ll be encouraged.

This year’s theme is “In Christ Alone: The Supremacy of Christ in the Book of Hebrews,” featuring several expositions of the book of Hebrews.  Can’t wait for June 17-19th.  I hope you’ll make plans to meet us there.

You can find audio from the 2009 conference on evangelism in the book Acts  here.

Atlanta Area Pastors’ Conference

If you’re in the Atlanta area, you’ll want to check out this conference!  With the list of faithful pastors and speakers, this should be a great time in the word and practically helpful.

Bob Kellemen at RPM Ministries offers a gracious review of Glory Road: The Journeys of Ten African-Americans into Reformed Christianity.  Kellemen is a good student of African-American theology and church history and offers a warm critique of Glory Road.

For my part, I think Glory Road could be one of the most important, helpful, and encouraging books published in the last ten years on African-American Christianity.  I think its warmth, humor, honesty, and theological integrity

could be a winsome tool in capturing the hearts of many people who have not come to know the wonderful truths and history of the Reformed tradition.  If you haven’t read this book, rush out and make it a stocking stuffer or New Year’s read.  It’ll reward you.

HT: Phoenix Preacher

Tony Carter wonders “Is Balance a Four-Letter Word.” And he’s dragging Packer and Terry Johnson in on his side. I think he’s right.

We never feel Christ to be a reality until we feel him to be a necessity.

-Austin Phelps, quoted by Gordon Keddie in Preacher on the run: The Message of Jonah (Hertfordshire, England: Evangelical Press, 1986), p. 85

When I’m around him my face and heart do this A LOT!

In a couple weeks’ time, it’ll be a joy to be with bro’s Carter, Louis Love, Hensworth Jonas, our wives, and all the saints at the New Life Fellowship Bible Conference. This year’s focus is on evangelism in the book of Acts. Six expositions combined with a lot of fellowship and iron-sharpening-iron dessert conversations at fancy restaurants like Denny’s.

If you’re in the Vernon Hills, IL or greater Chicago area, come check us out. For my wife and I, it’s a highlight to our year. You’ll find your soul lifted.

Anthony Carter is busting myths. First up: “Reformed theology is white.” I’m looking forward to the rest of the myths he plans to debunk. Welcome back and keep ‘em coming Mr. Kotter.

Russell Moore meditates briefly on “race, conscience and the spoken word.” Sounds like a worthwhile book to purchase.

Lance Lewis asks the question: does it matter if our faith is true or not?

Today is a national holiday in the Cayman Islands (despite there being a lot of Canadians in Cayman, it’s not a celebration of Canada Day ). So, with a day off and the rest of the family vacationing in the U.S., I’m doing a little “spring cleaning” (on the blog, that is).