Report of the
Conference Pastor
“Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry,
we do not lose heart.”
2 Corinthians 4:1
The servants of Christ in every age have struggled with the tendency to “lose heart.” Personal inadequacies, powerful oppositions, problems from within the church and pressures from without, all have contributed to the discouragement of many.
The puritan’s prayer to God seems very appropriate for these times:
“Fit me for every scene and circumstances; stay my mind upon Thee and turn my trials to blessings, that they may draw out my gratitude and praise as I see their design and effects.”
Our fitness for ministry comes from God and God alone (Psalm 62).
Our focus in ministry must be on, “Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20a). Then, and only then, will we function in ministry, “according to the power that works within us (Ephesians 3:20b) enabling us, to give Him the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 3:21).
Why do we feel so inadequate to do the work of the ministry? Because we are inadequate, but God is not, and He will never ask us to do something He will not enable us to do. And to that end we echo the Apostle Paul’s request, “Brethren pray for me” (1 Thessalonians 5:25).
As I travel across our Conference visiting our pastors and churches, I am encouraged to see the commitment of our pastors, elders, deacons, and the congregations who worship and serve with them.
Several of our churches are engaged in self studies, evaluating their purpose, core values, overall ministry and establishing goals for the future. This process, while time consuming, is resulting in an increase emphasis on prayer, leadership training, outreach, and discipleship. May we never, “lose heart” in that which is designed to bring glory to God and good to His Church.
We give thanks to God for each of the men who were ordained to the gospel ministry this year and continue to urge prayer, to the Lord of the harvest to raise up many more men, called to pastoral ministry.
Following many, many years of faithful and loving ministry to Christ and the Bible Fellowship Church, the Lord called home, Esther Cassel, Barry Minsky, and Thelma Smock. The memory of their commitment to Christ, their exemplary lives and faithful service, is a blessing and a challenge to all of us.
Through the love gifts to the Darlene J. Mahurin Memorial Fund of $1,325.00 from the members of Annual Conference, we were able to give financial assistance to 23 pastors and their families in the amount of $2,175.00. These expressions of love were gratefully received and a real encouragement to these choice servants of Christ.
I want to sincerely express my gratitude and thanks to God for the privilege of serving as your Conference Pastor. The encouragement I receive from our pastors, the Ministerial Relations Committee, The Executive Board, Members of BFC Conference, and local elders is much appreciated.
“May the God of peace…Equip you with everything good for doing His will,
and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21
Your Co-laborer in Christ,
Ronald C. Mahurin
Conference Pastor