JACKSON, Tenn. — Feb. 12, 2021 — West Tennessee pastors and their wives were encouraged to stay faithful in their ministry during the annual West Tennessee Pastor’s Conference Valentine’s Banquet Feb. 9 at Union University.
The event is hosted by Union’s School of Theology and Missions.
Guest speaker Tommy Vinson, interim pastor of Germantown Baptist Church and longtime Memphis-area pastor, gave a message on the book of Ruth and drew out biblical imagery in the story that connects it to the larger story of Christ’s redemption.
“May we go and get at the feet of him who has the right to redeem. May we live there,” Vinson said. “I want you to know that he is the God of the unseen. Don’t throw in the towel. Don’t give up. God works all things together for good.”
Roger Stacy, president of the West Tennessee Pastor’s Conference and director of missions for the Gibson Baptist Association, has been attending the banquet for 14 years and said the event is important because it offers encouragement and appreciation for the ministry of both pastors and their wives.
“I like it because it gives me an opportunity to have a personal touch with them and interaction with them, encourage them personally, just hear their stories and hear what’s going on their ministry,” he said.
Ray Van Neste, dean of Union’s School of Theology and Missions, sees the event as a way for the university to care for pastors and their wives as well as for the pastors to build community among themselves.
“One of the things in pastoral ministry is it’s often isolating ... all the more so these days of COVID,” Van Neste said. “So it’s an opportunity for them to gather. Most of the men here know one another. Some of them have seen each other at this event for many years, but then there are new guys who get to come, with their wives, and meet this community, build some friendships, have support.” -30-