Tuesday – DAY ONE

I’m here on the beautiful campus of Messiah College for the first day of the Banner of Truth Trust (publishers) USA Ministers’ Conference. I’ve been attending this since 1992 — 15 years. It is really a highlight of the year for me.

I rode down (5.5 hours) with Pastor Mark Bell of Redeemer PCA in Queensbury, NY, and one of his elders — in a hybrid car no less! I took a turn driving, and noticed that as you drive, there are gauges on the dash board which indicate fuel(s) being used — gas or electircal and “efficiency.” (I was the most efficient driver today!) We arrived an hour before the first session, signed-in and unpacked in our rooms. I have my own bedroom in the dorm/suite this year (something to do with “snoring” I guess?).

The opening session was a sermon on PHILIPPIANS 1:21, where Paul declares, “for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” The sermon really puts any pastoral discouragements or troubles in proper perspective, and sets a fine precedent for the conference — that God’s Word will illumine our situation, and the way we should go in the service of our Lord.

Tonight, one of the greatest living preachers (in my opinion), Dr Sinclair Ferguson, will speak to us on HOLINESS, which is the theme of this conference. I hope the Lord will use His Word preached to mold myself, and these 250 other pastors & elders into holier men of God, who are bold for the gospel in an very un-holy age. Please pray for me, the others attending, and the men who will speak to us.

All for now.
Pastor Dave Bissett