By Mark A. Taylor
Months ago Matt Proctor chose the topic for the sermon he preached Monday evening (February 25) to kick off Ozark Christian College”s annual Preaching Teaching Convention. But he had no idea then how personal his message, titled “Trust Completely,” would become.
The Proctor family
The challenge to trust came into sharper focus for Matt when his wife, Katie, was diagnosed with endometrial cancer two weeks ago. “Not exactly the news a 44-year-old mother of six kids was hoping to hear,” Matt said, according to last week”s e-newsletter from the North American Christian Convention.
The NACC made the announcement as part of a prayer request for Matt and his family, a request made even more urgent by the fact that Matt is president of this year”s convention in Louisville, July 9-12.
As we reported in Matt”s post at this site last week, the 2013 NACC theme is “Victorious,” with preaching through the book of Revelation. NACC publicity has included the tag line, “When life seems hopeless, read the end of the story.” And while the Proctors” situation is anything but hopeless, it reminds us all of times when life”s hurdles threatened our own confidence in victory.
The fact is that all of us will benefit from the fine preaching and special fellowship of this summer”s convention. Several new touches will add to the exceptional experience we”re anticipating.
The convention will include a global perspective as several share how God is bringing victory even in the darkest corners of the world.
And special guests include nationally known speakers and leaders some of us will get to hear for the first time.
After you”ve clicked on the above links for more details, go to the NACC site for information about housing and registration. There you”ll also see the schedule for the week and news about other dimensions of the convention”s multifaceted program: networking breakfasts, ladies programming, children”s and youth conventions, Bible studies, and so much more.
Year after year we promote the NACC as “the connecting place” for nondenominational Christians. This year”s convention has a special draw””not only because of the unique and powerful program planned, but also because of the way its president is modeling its message of trust.
And sometimes we think that we have problems…