I Believe in the NACC!

By Various

I first attended the NACC as the sponsor of a Bible Bowl team and I was glad for the opportunity the convention provided to challenge young people to become excited about getting into the Word.

I next attended the NACC as a missionary on furlough and, after being out of the States for three years, was so blessed by being able to fellowship with people I hadn”t seen for some time. I was inspired by worshiping with thousands of other Christians.

Then I attended the NACC as a representative of parachurch organizations and appreciated the opportunity the convention provided to network with others, particularly in the exhibit area.

For the last few years I have attended the NACC as a minister”s wife and have been glad for the opportunity to be encouraged and refreshed for ministry.

I believe in the NACC because it meets a myriad of ever-changing interests and needs for the thousands who attend. It provides a forum for discussion, an opportunity for growth and inspiration, and a place for networking, fellowship, and renewal.

“”Kay Moll

Christ”s Church at Mason

Mason, Ohio

I believe in the NACC because I believe in the power of partnership. The NACC is the perfect place to connect leaders, churches, missions, and parachurch organizations. It”s a time when camaraderie is cultivated and collaboration toward mission is harnessed. The format provides independent churches a great opportunity to connect interdependently for mutual ministry. Where else would the engine of synergistic partnership be so well oiled?

On a very personal note . . . I asked my wife to marry me after the NACC main worship service on a Friday in 1988 in Cincinnati! She said “yes” (thanks be to God!), and it”s been such a great partnership in ministry.

I can”t wait to celebrate the 20th anniversary of that occasion while in Cincinnati this summer. The great thing is that this time I can book a hotel room for the two of us!

“”Greg Marksberry

Heritage Christian Church

Fayetteville, Georgia

I believe in the NACC! Why? Because of the good it has done for me personally and for thousands of people like me.

As a teenager from rural Kentucky, the NACC opened my eyes to a world and church family and heritage much larger than my experience. Driving to Dallas in 1971 and finding thousands gathered there, and then, a year later, seeing tens of thousands flood into Cincinnati”s Riverfront Stadium excited me and expanded my view of the kingdom. I am so grateful for my Restoration roots. It is wonderful to be part of a large, diverse group of people who want to be Christians only and lift up Jesus for all to see.

I believe in the NACC because it constantly pointed me to Jesus and grounded me in the Bible. Experience with Bible Bowl deepened my understanding of Scripture and helped me hide God”s Word in my heart. Great teaching excited my passion for God and his purpose and prompted me to love Jesus more.

I believe in the NACC because it called me to serve something worthwhile. I first preached for a teen session at the NACC at age 17 in 1973. Since then I”ve had multiple opportunities to preach and teach and sing and pray and lead and give and raise funds and register and plan and invite and give some more and do whatever it takes to make this great gathering possible.

And I love doing it! Why? Because I believe in the NACC! It is still doing good for thousands like me.

“”Jeff Metzger

River Hills Christian Church

Loveland, Ohio

Last December it seemed every store featured pillows and pictures encouraging people to simply “believe.” The items printed with this word didn”t clarify the object of belief (Santa? Belief itself?), and offered no compelling reason to follow the command.

I don”t recommend belief without context””especially when it comes to the NACC. The convention has its detractors, as well as a group who ignore it completely. Many have legitimate concerns.

But the NACC also attracts supporters who want the convention to reinvent itself for another generation of leaders, and I”m in this latter group.

I “believe” because the NACC serves an important purpose for our far-flung tribe of churches. Our (largely positive) insistence on independence and (largely positive) willingness to listen to other denominations can also create roadblocks to effective partnership and dilution of our own identity. The NACC”s role as “the connecting place” can be part of the remedy.

Unlike the Christmas trinkets displayed last December, the convention does offer a reason to act””we have no other event similarly dedicated to Christian churches of every size and every stage. For now, that”s enough to make me believe.

“”Jennifer Taylor

CHRISTIAN STANDARD contributing editor and columnist

Nashville, Tennessee

I believe in the NACC because it enlarges my vision for what God wants to do in my life, family, and church.

A couple of years ago, we were praying about purchasing a church building on a college campus, but we had to raise a significant amount of money to accomplish this””frankly, more than I could imagine. I was dealing with considerable fear in this regard, so much fear that I almost didn”t attend the convention that year. But my kids were in Bible Bowl, so we decided to make the trip. I am so glad we did.

God used several speakers and some good conversations with friends to push me forward in faith. Today, we enjoy the church building debt-free, and I am thankful for how God used the convention to encourage me when I needed it most.

If you haven”t attended the convention in a while, why don”t you schedule a trip to Cincinnati this summer? You will be pleasantly surprised. I know I”m looking forward to some black raspberry chip ice cream at Graeter”s, a 3-way from Skyline Chili, and a great convention with my family.

“”Matt Schantz

His House Christian Fellowship

Mount Pleasant, Michigan