Over the last year, we have launched a number of Enjoying the Journey events designed to help people “Follow God’s Word and Find Christ’s Joy.” These events are not primarily social (though they are marked by wonderful Christian fellowship and friendship), but purposefully spiritual. ETJ gatherings are centered on the study of Scripture and its application to our lives.
Our team labors in a wide variety of events every month…
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- Primarily, we work with pastors in local church meetings. It is our conviction that the work of God is accomplished through the New Testament church, and we are honored to come alongside individual pastors and congregations of all sizes to help further the work of the gospel in their area.
- Occasionally, we are invited to work with a group of pastors and churches in cooperative meetings. Later this year, we will join a number of pastors who have been praying for years for spiritual awakening in their region. They have led their churches to labor together in a definite way to both seek revival and get the gospel to as many as possible. It is a thrill to see individual churches pulling together to advance the larger work of Christ. This is an effort God will bless, and one we are always grateful to assist.
- Annually, we help with a few partner events. Tammy and I co-host the REST conference for Christian workers with our friends Scott and Melanie Hooks every September. I also have the joy of serving as the Chairman for the Southwide Baptist Fellowship, which gathers on the second Monday-Wednesday of October. These are meetings that concentrate on helping fellow preachers, and we are grateful to be a part of serving God’s servants.
- Periodically, we host ETJ events that are specifically designed to get Bible truth to a wider audience and encourage those in the work of the Lord. To date, these have included ETJ one-day Bible Seminars, multi-day Bible Conferences, Men’s Retreats, Couples’ Conferences, and Young Preachers Summits. We never want our events to become a conflict or competition with what is being done in local churches. Rather, it is our sincere hope that they will provide a complement that will help many local churches.
Some have asked how the periodic ETJ events are scheduled. Across the top of our online events page, we have the powerful words of James 4:15, “…If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” The Apostle Paul frequently referenced this principle throughout his letters when writing about his travel plans. Many early Christians would write “d.v.” at the bottom of their correspondence. This was a shortened form of the Latin phrase “deo volente” – God willing.
Indeed, the Lord is the great Planner, and we are seeking only to follow His direction. Preparation and promotion are necessary, but we are adding events only as we believe the Lord is leading us to do so. No one needs just another meeting to attend! Some meetings are helpful for a time, and others will be repeated.
Here are a few principles we are trying to follow:
- The events are not held at the same fixed time every year or hosted in the same locations. This flexibility allows us to reach people in a variety of regions. Churches and colleges operate on a fixed calendar, but the nature of itinerant evangelism tends toward a more fluid schedule.
- Each event’s theme and target audience allow us to place an emphasis that we believe will be helpful. The goal is not to host events but to place an emphasis.
- The Bible teaching format allows us to develop, present, record, and share fresh content with a larger audience beyond the events. ETJ events and ETJ resources grow out of one another.
Oswald Chambers said, “Let God engineer.” We are not following a “master plan” of our own but trying to discern the Master’s plan! It is truly our desire to reach the lost and to teach the Lord’s people. Please pray for us, and we hope to see you soon.
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