Missouri Baptist Convention Report
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

My wife and I attended the MBC October 30 – November 01, 2006.

Conventions are always a good time to renew friendships and begin new ones as well.  It was good to see many people that we grew to love and appreciate from the Mineral Area Baptist Association.  Our first evening there (Sunday evening) we sat at a table in the Outback at Cape Girardeau, or as they call it in that ‘neck of the woods’ “Cape”, with Brother Larry Greenfield, and his wife sister Debbie.  Larry is the Director of Missions for the Mineral Area Association.  We had a great time of fellowship that evening.

Madge and I attended all the sessions of the Pastor’s Conference which was led by Vic Gorden, who was President of the Missouri Baptist Pastors Conference.  The preachers for the conference were all family members.  First there was a testimony by the father of the boys J.T. Elliff sharing a testimony on Integrity and losing it.  The first message was by Tom Elliff who is Senior Vice President of the International Mission Board, and former Pastor of First Southern Baptist Church of Del City, Oklahoma.  He spoke of “Integrity in Prayer”.  Jim Elliff was the next one to speak and finish the morning session, and he spoke of the pastor having “Integrity in His Personal Life”.

The second session begain with singing by “This Hope”, and prayer.  The first message was by Jon Elliff who preached on “Integrity in His Relational Life”.   The second message by Bill Elliffwas on “Integrity in His Devotional Life”. and the final message was by Tom Elliff once again, and was on “The Integrity in His Ministerial Life”.  These messages were very convicting, encourageing and moving.

The slate of recommended nominees to the Executive Board was approved after some discussion.  On Tuesday evening, and I must admit, that of all the years I have attended The State Conventions I have never attended a Tuesday evening until this one.  It was great.  We were there to participate in the commissioning of 67 missionaries to the Foreign Mission field.  Each one of those 67 came around and gave a short testimony of their life, their call and the place they were going, if that were safe to do so.  This was probably the most heart moving and great experience of the whole Convention.  It was a real blessing.

On Wednesday morning – the session to close the Convention – we approved many resolutions.  One of those which took up much time was a resolution concerning WalMart and their newly formed alliance with the gay and lesbian chamber of commerce (I did not capitalize those purposfully).  There were many who wanted the document to be worded stronger, calling for an immediate boycott of the stores.  Others believed that it was strong enough for now.  It was finally voted on and approved by the convention with some negative votes.

My wife (Madge) and I had the priviledge of hearing Dr. Richard Land for the very first time.  His message was a good, clear, strong call for revival in America, with Christians being the salt of the earth and light of the world.

The MBC is still troubled, but if we will get over the power struggles, gossip and innuendos, among those who believe the Bible; Let us practice what we preach.

-Tim A. Blankenship