August 5-8, 2004 – Precept Ministries international – National Convention in
Chattanooga
For three full days we were treated to some of the best Bible teaching and ministry that we have ever experienced at the Precept Ministries International Annual National Convention held at the Chattanooga Conference Center in beautiful Chattanooga, Tennessee. The theme of this year’s convention was “People of Prayer and Power Serving God’s Purpose in This Generation”.
For the first time, Precept opened this “Women’s” Conference to men and nearly 1000 men attended. The total attendance was slightly lower than in past years but the addition of the men added a new dynamic to the conference especially in terms of the message that MEN need to get into the WORD. Indeed this has been one of the greatest areas of lack in terms of Christian families – men need to be immersed in the WORD in order to fulfil their mandate in the family and in the Kingdom.
Thursday, August 5 was an equipping day and ran from noon onwards. We had to choose three of the thirteen workshops that were being offered covering such topics as ‘Marriage, Accomplishing More for God Together’ – presented by Jan Priddy; ‘Raising Up Leaders Who Serve God’s Purpose’ – by Pete DeLacy; ‘The Power of Prayer’ – by Kay Arthur and ‘From Hurt to Healing’ by Dorie Van Stone;– and more!
Dorie Van Stone will be speaking at the Precept International Canadian Women’s Conference to be held in Guelph, Ontario on September 24th and 25th.
For the whole day Friday and Saturday and up until noon on Sunday, the conference speakers challenged us to go deeper into God’s Word, to prioritize our life around God’s Word and to abide in His Word. It was a thrill to be under the anointed teaching of people like Max Lucado, Janet Parshall, Dr. Tony Evans, Rebecca Manley Pippert, Ravi Zacharias and of course Kay Arthur herself.
At the beginning of each day, between each session and each evening, the praise and worship was fantastic. Anointed leaders and singers such as Stephen Hinkle from Chicago and Chuck Newman from Mobile, Alabama led us to lofty highs in praising our Lord. Singer and speaker Deborah Klassen originally from Canada but who now lives in Chattanooga, poured her heart out with wonderful songs. Lastly but certainly not least, Alicia Williamson also from Mobile, Alabama brought us her latest songs as well took us to a new place in worship.
It was such a pleasure to chat with Deborah and her family. We also had a few moments to talk with her son Ryan who survived a near fatal car crash in March 2003. His injuries were so extensive that the doctors gave him virtually no hope of survival. But the Lord was faithful and Ryan is a living testimony to His grace and power as our Healer.
The book store that was set up in the Convention Center had books, CDs and many other resources by all the participants – with some really great bargains to boot! A complete set of CDs of all the speaker sessions and workshops was available in order to ‘take home’ the conference for future listening.
We encourage believers to take part in these conferences in order to go deeper into the WORD. Precept has many other Men’s-only – Women’s-only, Youth and Couples Conferences throughout the year. Plan to attend and be blessed as we were.
Here are some pictures of the Conference.
Jan Priddy facilitating the “Marriage” workshop Kay leading the seminar on the Power of Prayer
People anticipating the start of the Conference Deborah Klassen leading Worship – Wow!
Marg chatting with Deborah in the bookstore Ian with Ryan Klassen – a miracle of God’s healing
Wonderful teaching by Max Lucado and by Dr. Tony Evans (overhead screen shots)
More great teaching by Kay Arthur and Ravi Zacharais
Marg with Liz Hart - daughter of Precept Canada’s Ian outside on of the many restaurants around the
Directors Tom & Jane Hart Conference Center