By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
NEW ORLEANS, La. (LBM) –Chip Luter challenged more than 400 Baptist Collegiate Ministry students and staff, who were attending the 2022 College Evangelism Conference, to be obedient to Christ even when the future is unknown.
The March 11-12 event drew students from 21 BCMs to the campus of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
“Obedience in the unseen happens when our faith in God is based on Who He is rather than what we can do,” Luter, associate pastor at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans, told the students.
Luter’s message was part of a two-day gathering designed to equip participants to share their faith; and it included worship by song led by contemporary Christian artist Joe Reddick. His message and the focus of the various breakout seminars were centered on the theme, “proclaim,” based on 1 Chronicles 16:23.
Referencing Hebrews 11:7, Luter told the students that unconditional obedience requires the right relationship, reverence, and reality.
“Examine what barriers in your life cause you to be disobedient to God,” he said. “Explore what God may be calling you into right now in regard to His vision of Revelation 7:9. If international missions are where the Lord is leading you, engage with the International Mission Board for opportunities to help fulfill the purpose God has for you.”
Luter’s remarks were also a part of the kickoff tour of REV7:9, an International Mission Board initiative designed to create a community of 18-25-year-olds who are committed to seeing the vision that God laid out in Revelation 7:9 realized.
“Speaking to these students was humbling and exciting,” Luter told the Baptist Message. “The Lord has great plans for how these young people will impact thousands of lives for the Gospel all over the world. I’m just blessed that I get to be part of the work the IMB is doing to mobilize young adults to global missions.”
NOBTS President Jamie Dew, in his message based on Matthew 9:35-39, told participants that Christ was moved with compassion for the broken and lost, and that even today He instructs His followers to pray for laborers to enter the harvest.
He then offered five principles to know how to discern God’s call on their life:
— Always start with Scripture. The Bible identifies ways His followers might serve in the body.
— Be active in service to the body of Christ. This allows His followers to see where their gifts might be and allows the body of Christ to speak into a calling.
— Walk in long-sustained seasons of submission, dependance and seeking. As His followers walk with Christ over long periods of time God re-shapes the passions of their hearts.
— After long-sustained seasons of submission, dependance and seeking, pay attention to the burdens and passions that God has given.
— Pay attention to the affirmation and confirmation of the body of Christ. Providentially, God uses His people to speak into a calling.
“I am particularly burdened to see the next generation of servants called out by the Church,” Dew told the Baptist Message. “Everywhere we look in the SBC we see major pipeline issues: The IMB needs 500 new missionaries each year. NAMB needs 200 new church planters. Many of our states are seeing a shortage of pastors, youth pastors, worship leaders and the like, and more and more pastors are retiring or facing burnout from the difficulties of the last few years.
“The need for ministers of the Gospel is always great, but as in Jesus’ day,” he continued, “the laborers are few. I’m praying God will indeed call out more laborers for His harvest.”
Mark Robinson, state director of BCMs, said he was pleased with the student’s response to the challenge to proclaim the Gospel on their campuses, communities and beyond.
“CEC 2022 was all we could have hoped for — bringing Louisiana university students back together after the long pandemic break from large gatherings,” Robinson said. “We sought to challenge students to consider their call to ministry both in our state and around the world. Also, specific seminar training was provided to equip students for service. Our partnership with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and the International Mission Board propelled that vision to a reality. We will see quite a resurgence of passion for the nations among our Louisiana collegiates.”
Caitlyn Gilcrease, a member of the University of New Orleans BCM, said the conference was a reminder of a Christ follower’s true purpose.
“There was a huge emphasis on international missions, and while it may not be your calling to go spread the Gospel internationally, it is your calling to spread it wherever you are,” Gilcrease said. “You do not have to go to another country to tell people about Jesus. You can do it right from your dorm room with the classmates that live in the exact place as you. No matter where you are in the world, you are on mission.”
Payton Doyal, a member of the Tulane University BCM, added that the fellowship with students from around the state was a highlight.
“It’s amazing to see so many of us come together for the purpose of the Lord,” Doyal said. “It really stokes the fire in my heart for the ministry we are doing on all of our campuses.”
Korey Kincade, a member of the Louisiana Christian University BCM, said CEC helped him better understand God’s call to share the Gospel.
“I was grateful for the large amounts of information given and opportunities for worship and mission trips,” he said. “Lastly one of the biggest parts I liked about CEC was the ability to connect with friends from other BCM groups and our own group to find where we all stand and where we can help and work with each other to fulfill our individual callings from Christ.”
