JOIN US FOR TWO SPECIAL DAYS IN LYNCHBURG

In the past few years, my team and I have truly enjoyed hosting our REFUEL Conference at Thomas Road Baptist Church. As I prayed about this year’s conference, I determined that I do not want to have a conference that just goes through the motions, so to speak. I want to hold a conference that is unique, special and truly life-changing for those attending.

So, after much prayer over the past few weeks, I sense from God that we need to gather together as pastors and church leaders to be refreshed, to encourage each other and to seek God’s face together at this pivotal time for the church. “Refueling” is something that all pastors need and that is what we try to provide for all who attend our special gathering.

This May, I am inviting pastors and church staff members from across the country to join us for two days (May 15 and 16) for a special time of encouragement, planning, sharing, worshipping and refueling. Our special guests will be Ed Stetzer, James MacDonald, Lance Witt, Daniel Floyd and many others.

Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research, is a great speaker, a true innovator in church planting and contemporary evangelism. He has a heart for ministry and ministers. As always, all pastors will want to hear what Ed has to say about effective church ministry and the key responsibilities of pastors who want to serve God to the best of their ability.

Dr. James MacDonald is the renowned host of “Walk in the Word,” which now reaches more than three million people weekly. His Harvest Bible Fellowship is responsible for planting 70 churches. He is praying that God will allow him to plant 1,000 churches in his lifetime. This will be James’ first time at our Refuel conference and I am very excited to be inspired by this true servant of God.

We will also have the opportunity to hear from some great young leaders in the church today. Daniel Floyd, an LU graduate and church planter in Fredericksburg, Virginia, will share some of his lessons learned along the way. Lance Witt and others will open God’s Word to help us all be encouraged in ministry. I know that you will be blessed by attending this conference. And, it’s free!

Visit our website (http://refuel.org) for more details and registration information. I hope you will plan to join us for this year’s conference.

IN PRAISE OF STAY-AT-HOME MOMS

Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen has quickly apologized after a derisive comment about Ann Romney for having “never worked a day in her life.” Mrs. Romney has raised five sons, which many women will tell you is nothing less than a full-time job.

As the son of a stay-at-home mom, I can attest that my mother was as busy as anyone while raising my brother, sister and me. And I can say without reservation that I am so glad she was there for us, a shining example of a Christian mother. I am aware that some moms have to work, but I think there is no higher calling for a woman than being a full-time mom to her kids. Mrs. Romney noted that she “made a choice” to stay home with her kids and I think she should be admired for that decision.

Stay-at-home mothers should be admired and cherished, no matter what leading political operatives or our fickle society may think. More specifically, ladies who dedicate their lives to teaching and exemplifying God’s Word to their children and in their community are needed now, more than ever.

RICK WARREN FIGHTS FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTIES

Saddleback Community Church Pastor Rick Warren is not a real political guy. But he continues to decry the Obama administration’s contraception policy that he says affects the religious freedoms of institutions that have pro-life standards. On Sunday’s “This Week” broadcast on ABC, the veteran pastor and author said he is not pleased with the token compromise on the administration’s requirement, saying that religious freedom is at stake over the issue.

NewsMax.com reported that “the original ruling from the administration required religious-affiliated universities and hospitals to offer health plans that cover contraception; under the compromise, insurance companies have to pay for that part of the coverage.” Critics say the compromise simply shifts responsibility for the abortion coverage.

Warren noted that there are plenty of hospitals that perform abortions and that there is no need to compel pro-life religious institutions to directly or indirectly provide them. On “This Week,” he drew an effective correlation, saying, “I would be just as opposed to someone making a law that says every Jewish deli now has to serve pork … I would protest that. Why? There are 100 other delis you can get pork at. Why do I have to insist that the Jewish delis also serve pork?”

I appreciate Rick Warren continuing to press for the preservation of our religious freedoms. He is on the front lines of this effort to ensure that pro-life ministries are never compelled to fund abortion services. We all owe him a debt of thanks and the support of our prayers.