Six Weeks Away

The 37th annual Southside Lectures begin six weeks from tomorrow! That is both an exciting and a sobering thought. Exciting because of the spiritual energy they bring and the rejuvenation they supply to our work here. Sobering because of the amount of preparation that remains.

Much of the planning is already in the works. The dates were announced at the first of the year: June 13-16. The theme of the lectures is the same as our one-year plan for 2016: Add to Your Faith. The speakers are set and preparing their subjects: Russ Bowman, John Kilgore, Phil Robertson, and Ralph Walker. The song leader is scheduled to direct us in worship once again: Tim Stevens. I hope you are excited. I hope you are carefully considering the part you play.

We welcome visitors from far and near to the Southside Lectures. Just this week, 1400 brochures will be mailed out across the country. Every year, people travel great distances to come and spend this special week with us. Christians from area churches usually support this effort. And our people are good to invite their friends and coworkers, making the lectures an effective opportunity for evangelism. But the Southside Lectures are planned first and foremost for the Southside church.

“Add to Your Faith” was chosen with our members in mind. It has been our focus this year to concentrate on individual growth. The lectures are just another way in which that theme will be explored. Through the week, you will be encouraged to “Add to Your Faith—” a new devotion to prayer, a more godly family, an appreciation for others, and a will to work. These are sermons that will not only storm our will, they meet the needs of the people.

Russ Bowman is no stranger to Southside or to the lectures. He has been a frequent participant on the program through the years. Having grown up here, he connects with our people. His preaching is powerful and persuasive.

John Kilgore has been preaching in the Houston area for over 40 years. Like many of our number, he will be coming to lectures straight from the Florida College camp. But he will bring a passion for God and His truth.

Phil Robertson (not of Duck Dynasty fame) has endeared himself to the Southside congregation over the years. He gave up a successful career in broadcasting to preach the gospel (sound familiar?). He will help each one add to his faith.

Ralph Walker is an effective communicator of the gospel. As a man of many talents, he is a gifted story- teller. But his greatest work is in telling the greatest story ever told. Each time he speaks will be an opportunity for spiritual growth.

Tim Stevens has led the singing at lectures the last four years. His participation is not about entertainment; it is about song worship. It is about teaching and admonishing one another in spiritual songs. We look forward to Tim's return.

Over the next six weeks, what can you do to add to these preparations?

✚ Add the lectures to your plans. Make a commitment to attend as many lectures as you possibly can. Between now and then, there will be opportunities to prepare the building and grounds as well as pass out invitations in the neighborhood. Be a part of these plans.

✚ Add the lectures to your prayers. At least once a day, include the lectures in your prayers. Pray for the speakers and their wives. Pray that the seed will find fertile ground. Pray that God's name will be glorified in this great work.

✚ Add the lectures to your conversations. Start letting people know about the lectures. Use the “Lecture List” brother Bowman provided for us Wednesday night. Help someone learn about faith so they can add to it.

Six weeks will be over before we know it. Let's make the most of the time so that we and others can be here to hear.

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