Report of the

Conference Pastor

            Even a casual reading of the Pauline Epistles will reveal the apostle Paul’s great love for the lost and for the church. One such expression of his love is found in his prayer for the church of Ephesus:

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21 b

            Certainly any profession of love for the lost and the church should lead one to pray for the salvation of sinners and the strengthening of His church. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit will anyone come to the knowledge of the truth, believe, repent and be converted. Equally so, it is the Holy Spirit, “dwelling in the inner man – through faith” that the believer is rooted and grounded in love. That “love of Christ which surpasses knowledge” and leads to the “fullness of God.”

            During the past ten years it has been my joy to express the love of Christ Jesus our Lord to sinners and saints alike by serving as your Conference Pastor. I have found this ministry to be most rewarding as I have, by God’s enabling grace, sought to humbly submit to “Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us…”

            It is only as we seek His face through His Word and prayer, accompanied with purposeful obedience and submission to His sovereign will, that He receives “the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus.”

            The year 2010 presented many opportunities to submit our will to His. No time in recent history has the Lord called five of our pastors, in one year, to be home with Him. However, this year, Harvey J. Fritz Jr., David E. Thomann, Walter H. Frank (missionary), James A. Beil, and C. Larry Bennett, answered His call. “The memory of the righteous is blessed…” (Proverbs 10:7a) and our memory of these choice servants of the Lord is a blessing and a challenge to us all, to faithfully serve our Lord and His church until He returns or calls us home.

            We have been challenged by the number of churches who were without a pastor. We thank the Lord, at this time, all of these churches have been supplied with pastoral leadership, in one way or another. We continue to urge you to pray for more men to be called into the ministry and to serve in the BFC as pastors.

            Many of our people have experienced difficult financial challenges this year and some of our pastors are no exception. It has been a special blessing to witness the love of God being poured out through God’s people who have helped those in need. From the love gift received during Conference thirteen pastors’ families received encouragement and a small gift.

            I wish to express my deep appreciation for the great privilege you have given me to serve the Lord by serving you as your Conference Pastor. I am humbled by your prayers, words of encouragement, and expression of love.

            My continual prayers are patterned after David’s prayers which were often filled with worship:

“Ascribe to the Lord, O sons of the mighty, Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength, Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name, Worship the Lord in holy array.” Psalm 29:1-2

Your Co-laborer in Christ,

Ronald C. Mahurin

Conference Pastor