By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
The record flooding in the Monroe-West Monroe area may have postponed the second scheduled Missions Jamboree Conference, also known as M-JAM, but it didn’t stop it from taking place at a later date.
Originally scheduled for March 12 at Cedar Crest Baptist Church in West Monroe, M-JAM has been rescheduled for April 30 at the same location.
“Jeff Slaughter has agreed to come back and lead worship for us again,” said Jess Archer, children/youth mission education strategist for Louisiana Baptists. “We are also going to have all of our original breakout sessions leaders. M-Jam in West Monroe is an event you won’t want to miss.”
The deadline to register is April 21 and more information can be found at louisianabaptists.org/mjam. Anyone who previously registered for the March 12 M-JAM and plans on attending the conference on April 30 is asked to email jess.archer@louisianabaptists.org or call 318.448.3402.
M-JAMMING IN BATON ROUGE
During the first meeting of M-JAM earlier this month, Slaughter said that the biblical hero Samson may have preached 2,000 years ago but his message on how to live out the Christian life still is very much relevant today.
Just as Samson was bold enough to risk his life for Christ even to the point of death, that example should be at the heart of every believer, he urged about 200 youngsters at the recent Missions Jamboree Conference, also known as M-JAM, held March 5 at Florida Boulevard Baptist Church in Baton Rouge.
For the past 30 years, Slaughter has led worship for kids and has written songs for LifeWay Christian Resources Vacation Bible School curriculum, including the hit “We Believe” from 2005′s Ramblin’ Road Trip VBS curriculum. The song also became a top-selling choral anthem for adult choirs that same year.
“Be bold,” Slaughter told his young audience. “God says I speak boldness over you to always tell people who you are and who you are about.”
Building on that, Slaughter said boldness was the focus of Christ’s last message before ascending into heaven, telling his followers that as they go to make disciples, baptizing them in His name — the commandment known as the Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:19-20.
“If that is the last thing He said, don’t you think that it is the most important thing,” Slaughter said, encouraging them to carry the Great Commission to others, too.
He also challenged them not to let others be an obstacle to fulfilling their calling from God, reminding them that God has a special purpose for each of their lives.
“The lord gives us gifts,” he said. “Never be afraid to do what the Lord has gifted you to do. People try to steal our dreams. But the Lord gives us talents to use them for him.”
The day-long event for youngsters in first through sixth grades, and adult leaders, focused on the theme, “All of Me,” based on Luke 9:23, and, included breakout sessions on disaster relief, salvation and a testimony from missionaries with the International Mission Board.
The husband and wife, whose names were withheld for security reasons, shared with the youngsters about the children who live in the country where they serve.
Both emphasized those children did not possess as many things as children in the United States, yet they seem content. However, they added, the appearance of contentment hid the fact that many there do not know Christ.
“We want people to know the most important thing is Jesus,” the man said, with the woman adding her agreement. “We look for needs they have and make their lives better. We go out and talk to people and find out what their needs are. We tell them what’s more important than anything is knowing Jesus Christ.”
Children and adult leaders from Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans enjoy a time of worship at M-JAM, which took place March 5 at Florida Boulevard Baptist Church in Baton Rouge.
Caleb Johnson, a member of Bridge Church in Madisonville, said he enjoyed attending the missionaries’ breakout session.
“I liked when the missionary let us make around each of our tables toys out of things we use every day in our house,” Johnson said. “I was glad to be able to learn about to make things that kids my age are able to play with all the time.”
Winter Polite, a member of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, liked getting to know the other children and meeting the missionaries.
“I loved learning about the salvation that Jesus gives us,” Polite said. “If we know Him, that brings us closer to Him.”
Archer said she enjoys seeing the children interact with IMB missionaries and those who serve with different ministries in Louisiana.
“M-JAM is a day where children can learn about missions, pray for missionaries, have fun together and understand how they can be used by God when they deny self,” Archer said. “We truly enjoyed having Jeff Slaughter lead us all in worship. He did an amazing job and seeing all of the children and adults worship, sing and dance to songs they love was really special.”
Next year’s M-Jam is scheduled for March 11 at Tall Timbers Conference Center in Woodworth and March 18 at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church.
M-Jam is a Cooperative Program-funded event sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention Women’s Missions and Ministry.
