SHAWNEE—“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service” (1 Tim. 1:12).
The Call Conference drew more than 300 students from Oklahoma and the surrounding region, Aug. 24, exploring the call of God on their lives to serve in the ministry of the Gospel.
Meeting at Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) for the ninth consecutive year, The Call equips students who have felt the call of God in their lives at Falls Creek youth camps and provides an important link in the process through which students develop in that calling.
This year, students were challenged with the idea of living “all-in” lives of faith in order to faithfully walk in the calling God has placed on their lives.
Zack Randles speaks in a general session, challenging students to abide in Christ.
General sessions addressed the form, growing and flexible call of God. General session guest presenters included Zack Randles, David Gambo and Lauren Green McAfee.
Randles, who pastors Washington, D.C., Waterfront, challenged students that abiding in Christ is the foundation of the firm calling of God in their lives. He shared the prayer of a disciple:
“God, I’ll do whatever you want me to do.” With that, he reminded students of the importance of the Word of God in abiding in Christ. Randles encouraged students that “the Word of God and the Holy Spirit provide the walls of the channel of abiding.”
Gambo is an assistant professor of Christian ministry at OBU and shared with students the delight in discipline and the importance of developing in the calling God has on one’s life. Gambo reminded students of the importance of direction in discipline in avoiding drudgery in the call.
Author Lauren Green McAfee, corporate ambassador of Hobby Lobby, encouraged students to “put on Christ” and “serve the Kingdom wherever you find yourself.” She also reminded attendees, “There are people everywhere who need Christ, whatever you do.”
McAfee implored students to know the Word of God, underscoring the importance of the foundation of the word of God for those fulfilling a ministry calling. McAfee posed the question of whether the Bible penetrated their heart, impact their way of thinking and shaped them. Students wrapped up the day encouraged to “be invested in your vocational calling, but focus on the eternal.”
Jonathan and Lisa Moore led worship for the event.
Joshua McKee covered the principles of youth age students in his breakout session. The Call offered 12 different breakouts.
In addition to the general sessions, students had the opportunity to sit under the teaching of a strong group of breakout leaders comprised of Oklahoma Baptist church leaders. The breakout topics covered numerous areas including pastoral ministry, age-group ministries, church planting, discipleship ministry, missions and more.
The Call Conference is made possible through generous cooperation of Oklahoma Baptist churches through the Cooperative Program, as well as through a strong partnership between the Oklahoma Baptists Youth Ministry and OBU.
To watch messages from the event, visit skopos.com/thecall.
