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United in Praise

By June 26, 2008July 16th, 2014No Comments

ANKENY, Iowa—More than 1,600 guests attended the Wednesday evening session of the 2008 GARBC Conference, singing together as Dr. Irv Van Hooser conducted a choir and orchestra in a memorable praise service.

Before the service began, guests enjoyed a barbeque chicken dinner sponsored by Faith Baptist Bible College, served in a tent outside the campus Convocation building.

Duke Crawford, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, began his evening sermon with a few words of tribute: “When I think about the blessing God has been to me through FBBC and the GARBC, and to have them sort of merged together for this conference, when I think of all the opportunities God has given me to serve Him through both of them, I am truly grateful and very blessed.”

Earlier in the day, various conference guests were busy attending ten Excellence in Church Ministry workshops, a Ladies’ Luncheon, and reception for pastors and wives hosted by Jim and Jeannie Vogel.

During the Ministry Focus hour, Dr. John Greening led a prayer of dedication for Chaplain (CPT) Andrew Nielsen, soon to be deployed to Iraq with the Washington Army National Guard.

In the afternoon, teens traveled to Grandview Park Baptist Church in Des Moines to participate in the Talents For Christ drama, puppet, and vocal ensemble competitions. The teens also attended a SPAM-A-LOT activity that began with a SPAM cookout, but the SPAM Olympics were interrupted by a late-afternoon thunderstorm.

The evening activities—originally planned for Cedar Rapids—were enhanced by the participation of many central Iowa congregations that attended the Wednesday service.

“We cannot sell short the power of a cross that is both grace and glory,” Pastor Crawford concluded. “Let’s preach it! Let’s embrace it! Let’s love it for His glory.”

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