With a decade in the rearview mirror and eternity out the windshield, the SBTC will commemorate its previous 10 years and concentrate on the future during its 2008 Bible Conference and Annual Meeting, Nov. 9-11, at Houston's FBC.

The three-day event features such Southern Baptist luminaries as noted author and speaker Beth Moore; preacher, humorist and motivational speaker Charles Lowery, and recording artist/soloist Travis Cottrell. Two notable events are the SBTC’s 10- year anniversary celebration on Monday night and an International Mission Board Commissioning Service on Tuesday night, thus reflecting the meeting’s theme: “Still Standing on the Word/Sending to the World.”

This year’s gathering will celebrate and reflect the SBTC’s cultural diversity and indivisible unity in attempting to fulfill the Great Commission.

“It was our stand on the infallible and inerrant Word of God that essentially birthed this convention,” stated SBTC Executive Director Jim Richards in explaining this year’s theme. “And that same blessed book will be our road map as we continue sharing the gospel, planting churches and supporting missions at home and around the world.”

The SBTC will practice what it preaches with Crossover Houston, an annual evangelism effort beginning the weekend of Nov. 8 that will include Houston-area churches as launch points for training and door-todoor witnessing. As the annual meeting nears, subsequent issues of the TEXAN will publish more detailed information. Questions regarding Crossover should be directed to Jack Harris (jeharris@sbtexas.com) or Jennifer Dean (jdean@sbtexas.com) in the SBTC’s Evangelism Department.

The Hispanic Rally begins at 6 p.m. Sunday, November 9, meeting at a different location of First Baptist Church, Galena Park. For more information contact Mike Gonzales (mgonzales@sbtexas.com), the SBTC’s Hispanic Initiative director.

The Bible Conference also kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, November 9, at Houston's FBC, located at 7401 Katy Freeway, where, unless otherwise noted, all events will transpire.

Here are some of the featured speakers at the Annual Meeting and Bible Conference, which includes the Men’s and Women’s Luncheons:
— Bob Pearle, president of the SBTC and pastor of Birchman Baptist Church, Fort Worth, will deliver the President’s Message;
—John Meador, pastor of First Baptist Church, Euless, will preach the convention Sermon;
—Tim McKenzie of On Every Word Ministries. This ministry proclaims “the Word of God with power and passion from the heart by combining the spoken word with multimedia to impact our culture for the cause of Christ with timeless truths in a dramatic and relevant fashion,” says On Every Word’s web site;

—Afshin Ziafat of Afshin Ziafat Ministries. Ziafat is a Houston native born to Iranian parents who disowned him when he became a Christian. His testimony is one of deep heartbreak that led to lasting joy as he followed Christ amid persecution;

—Houston Astros player Lance “the Big Puma” Berkman will give his testimony;
—Rev. William A. “Bill” Lawson, pastor emeritus and founding pastor of Houston’s Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church and David Fleming, pastor of Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston will be preaching.

Noted author and speaker, Beth Moore, will keynote the Women’s Luncheon Monday, while the Men’s Luncheon, a new addition this year, will feature four “Idea Sessions” led by:
—John Bisagno, who served as pastor of Houston’s FBC for 30 years, will speak about church leadership;
—John Morgan, pastor of Sagemont Church since its 1966 beginning, will challenge listeners about how to evangelize people in a post-modern culture;
— Rodney Woo — senior pastor of Wilcrest Baptist Church, Houston, and a professor at Southwestern Seminary and Houston Baptist University — will speak on multicultural churches; and,
—David Fleming will teach on“Temptations of Leaders.”

Headlining the President’s Luncheon on Tuesday, Nov. 11, is Charles Lowery, a former pastor who is noted for conveying God’s message convictingly and humorously. Lowery is president and CEO of LIFE: Lowery Institute for Excellence, Inc. — a non-profit educational organization whose purpose is to encourage, inspire, and motivate through teaching the essential principles of success in the workplace, relationships and in all areas of life.

The choirs and orchestras from Houston’s FBC, Champion Forest Baptist Church, and Birchman Baptist Church, Fort Worth, as well as the New Beginnings Associational Ensemble will provide the music, along with Travis Cotrell as featured soloist.

“There are few people who take me to the place of worship like Travis Cottrell,” said Dick Hill, worship pastor at Champion Forest. “When I’m in the room where he sings, I find my eyes closed and my soul opened. There is tenderness, joy and awesome strength in Travis’ voice, showing not just the versatility of a voice, but the deep passions of a soul.”

Other featured worship leaders and musicians include Philip Griffin, Birchman Baptist Church, Fort Worth; Ron Thiebaud, North Oaks Baptist Church, Spring; Michael Armstrong, FBC, Humble; Jennifer Dean, FBC, Euless; Dick Hill, Champion Forest BC; and, Tiffany Rachal, Unity Spirit Baptist Church, Houston.

Hotel information is available online. For more information, stay tuned to www.sbtexas.com/am08, where on-line registration opportunities are available for the luncheons.