So what happened? How did Freddy Haynes get the nod?
Nothing controversial here. I could have asked the same question about Debleaire Snell or Roger Bernard or Gina Spivey Brown. I want you to take a quick journey with me. Rarely a week passes without me receiving a request from some talented man or woman to present at PELC. So let me give you a peek behind the curtain. Let’s look at the process for selecting speakers and presenters at the Pastoral Evangelism and Leadership Council (PELC).
Encounter. Equip. Explode.
Since 1979 PELC, originally Evangelism Council, has brought men and women together from across the globe for leadership training and motivation. It is the largest and longest-running conference of its kind in the denomination. I doubt if E.E. Cleveland, Charles Dudley, Mervyn Warren and the other founders could have envisioned the growth and impact of the conference.
The sermons, plenaries, workshops and boot camps are designed to equip us for effective ministry. We emphasize leadership themes on Mondays and evangelism is our focus on Tuesdays, but we are flexible. Our Wednesday boot camps have doubled in size, and this year the line-up is exceptional.
We want an encounter with God. We want to be equipped for service. We want to explode from Huntsville to make a difference in our communities. Leading God’s people is no easy task. So we pray for and plan worship services that will make dry bones live!
PELC Steering Committee
I’ll never forget the first time I was invited to preach at Evangelism Council. I was shaking hands with the late Elder E.E. Cleveland after one of his messages and he said, “Young man, I want you to open up for us this year.” That was it. It wasn’t a question. It was a command. He was the committee! I loved Dr. Cleveland, but it doesn’t work quite like that today.
The PELC steering committee is made up of approximately 30 members. They include the Director of the Office of Regional Conference Ministries and the Ministerial Directors of the N.A.D., Southern Union, and regional conferences. There are west coast representatives, Hispanic caucus representatives, United Kingdom representatives, and a large number of pastoral representatives from across the country. The most effective way to present at PELC is to have a talk with your Ministerial Director or any of the other members. Their names are listed each year in our program.
PELC Theme
Each year before the last pastor has boarded a plane to leave Huntsville, the steering committee has already brainstormed and prayed that the Lord will give us His theme for the following year. In January or February, the committee gathers to spend a few days selecting the theme and planning the conference.
Once the theme has been selected, it influences every decision we make from that point forward. From plenaries to preachers to presenters. The theme is what influences each selection. It’s the primary reason that some great presentations or preachers are not included in a particular year. It’s not personal. More often than not, it’s the theme.
PELC 2017
The theme for PELC 2017 is “M28: Refocus.” We will be returning to the priorities of the Great Commission in Matthew 28. Our speakers include: Dr. Claybon Lea, the Senior Pastor of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Fairfield, California, Dr. Gina Spivey Brown from Howard University, Pastor Debleaire Snell of the First SDA Church in Huntsville, Alabama, Dr. Frederick Haynes of the Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas and many more.
There is a fantastic Spanish-speaking program planned, Paul Anderson is directing our Chaplains track and Linda Penick will continue to lead our growing Clergy Spouses program.
Bible Instructors Certification Track
For the first time, we will be offering a full Bible Instructors track. The demand for trained bible instructors has exploded over the years and PELC is joining with Oakwood University to offer two full modules during PELC. Successful and experienced Bible Instructors and Evangelists like, Dr. Gloria Bell, Dr. Carlton Byrd, and President Calvin Watkins will offer instruction.
We have worked to make this program the least expensive certification program of its kind. Each module is $199. And for those who take advantage of early bird registration, you can receive 2 modules for the price of 1, only $99.
At the completion of the modules, bible instructors will be listed in a registry that will allow pastors and evangelists from around the world to select instructors that have been trained and certified by PELC and Oakwood University.
Elders and Deacons Conference
We are expanding our Elders training into a full two-day conference for local elders and deacons. The conference will be held Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3. On Saturday evening the elders and deacons will enjoy the world famous Oakwood University Aeolians in concert.
So I hope this gives you a better idea of how things come together at PELC. Don’t hesitate to let us know personally or through our online surveys if you are interested in presenting. Every survey is read and each suggestion is noted. It’s not a perfect process, but what process is? God is moving and great things are happening. Register today and we’ll see you in December.
