Tennessee State Office Conducts Events, Offers Resources
The Tennessee Church of God State Office recently submitted a report on recent resourcing and efforts to disciple in Tennessee.
According to Dr. Ernie Varner, director of ministry and discipleship for Tennessee, TOOLs Conferences were held in two locations, including Mt. Juliet (for Middle and West Tennessee churches) and in Cleveland, Tennessee at the Mt. Olive Church of God (for East Tennessee churches).
Over 500 hundred pastors and laity were in attendance with tracks for youth and children’s ministry, Sunday school teachers, pastors, treasurers, music, and other church leaders.
Two SOAR Conferences (Saturday Opportunities for Affirmation and Resourcing) were scheduled, with the first being held for evangelists. The curriculum included four areas of focus: The Man (role and function of evangelists), The Method (practical advice), The Message (the evangelist’s preaching), and The Mandate (the great commission). Thirty evangelists in attendance were affirmed, blessed and strengthened, according to Varner.
A second SOAR Conference is scheduled for May 18, 2013, and is reserved for credentialed women ministers. Speakers for the event include Pentecostal Theological Seminary Professor Dr. Cheryl Johns, Pastor Deven Wallace and Evangelist Jackie Smith.
According to Tennessee Administrative Bishop Dr. Don Walker, “Tennessee is taking seriously the General Assembly mandate to resource the local church and to make disciples through TOOLs Conferences and SOAR conferences.”
To learn more about the May SOAR Conference and other events and resources from Tennessee, contact Dr. Varner at [email protected].
