October 17, 2024
MOULTRIE, Ga. – The pastor emeritus at one of the fastest growing churches in America pointed Georgia Baptists back to the basics of prayer and personal devotions, telling them that’s what’s necessary to remain spiritually energized for the demands of ministry.
“Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit,” Bill Purvis told about 100 people who attended the Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s Re:Charge conference in Moultrie on Thursday. “Let Him guide your life.”
Under Purvis’ ministry, Cascade Hills Baptist Church in Columbus, Ga., grew from 32 people to more than 10,000 and has been recognized by Outreach Magazine and Lifeway Christian Resources as one of the nation’s fastest growing congregations.
Pulling from his decades of ministry experiences, Purvis told church leaders if they’re to fulfill God’s call on their lives they need to intentionally schedule sufficient time to be alone with Him, praying and reading the Bible.
“You’re leading on empty when you’re giving out more than you’re taking in,” he said. “Be careful not to let your calendar get out of control. Listen to your wife when she says, ‘you can’t do all that.’”
Since leaving the full-time pastorate, Purvis has turned much of his attention to BP Leadership, a mentoring program he founded to help church leaders find success in ministry.
In his presentation at First Baptist Church in Moultrie, Purvis called on church leaders to:
-- “Let the Word do the work” by creating Bible studies that expose congregations to the scriptural truth.
-- Clarify your mission by asking why does your church exist, who is your target, and what is your intentional strategy or plan to reach your target.
-- Make prayer a priority.
-- Help church members discover their spiritual gifts.
-- Practice biblical stewardship.
-- Never lose the wonder of it all.
Georgia Baptist Mission Board Executive Director W. Thomas Hammond Jr. said the ministry basics Purvis shared are crucial for church leaders everywhere.
“When the Braves go to spring training, what do they do? They work on the basics,” Hammond said. “If we don’t do the basics well, it doesn’t matter how good the light show is.”
Hammond said the state Mission Board created the Re:Charge events to keep pastor’s stay energized for the Lord’s work.
“Pastors are pouring out to others every day,” he said. “And we want to pour back into them. We want to help. We want to celebrate with you. And, when you’re going through a tough time, we want to be there for you.”
Mark Chapman, pastor of Springfield Baptist Church in Jakin, said Re:Charge was not only inspiring but provided practical leadership principles “that can be taken and plugged in our own contexts.”
David Williams, pastor at Iron City Baptist Church, said he would encourage others to attend one of the upcoming Re:Charge events.
“I was encouraged and refreshed,” he said.
Two other Re:Charge events are scheduled for Sept. 26 at Salem Baptist Church in Dalton, Ga., and Sept. 27 at Central Baptist Church in Warner Robbins, Ga.
