May 2, 2024
SNELLVILLE, Ga. — Three preachers with strong evangelistic credentials will speak at the Georgia Baptist Preaching Conference set for Nov. 13 at the Church on Main in Snellville.
The lineup includes Jerry Vines, an elder statesmen in the Southern Baptist Convention who served 60 years as a pastor, including at First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Fla., which, at the time, was the third largest church in the SBC.
Also taking the platform will be Levi Skipper, former evangelism catalyst now serving as lead strategist for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s church strengthening team, and Scott Smith, a longtime evangelist who serves as the Mission Board’s communications director.
“Georgia’s preachers will be inspired and motivated by these men who God has used so effectively over the years,” said Tommy Fountain Sr., president of the preaching conference and senior pastor at 1025 Church Monroe and 1025 Church Statham.
The preaching conference is held each year in conjunction with the Georgia Baptist Convention’s annual meeting, which is set for Nov. 12-14 at the Church on Main.
Fountain said the theme of the preaching conference is Calling out the Called, which is also the overarching theme of the annual meeting.
“It’s crucial that we reach out to the next generation of church leaders, those who God is calling to ministry,” Fountain said. “The strength of our churches tomorrow depends on what we do today. We must identify and prepare tomorrow’s leaders today.”
Fountain said this year’s speakers are uniquely gifted to convey that message. Here is how Fountain describes the speakers:
“Dr. Vines is considered the prince of preachers in the Southern Baptist Convention. He is a former SBC president, and, at 86 years old, he is still preaching a full schedule.”
“Levi Skipper has proven himself as a great pastor, having led Concord Baptist Church in Clermont to tremendous growth before joining the Mission Board where he lends his expertise to churches across the state.”
“Scott Smith is an evangelist. He’s a powerful preacher, a soul winner, and truly has a heart for the lost.”
Emceeing the preaching conference will be Fountain’s sons, Stephen Fountain, lead pastor at First Baptist Church in Buford, and Tommy Fountain Jr., campus minister at the University of Georgia.
“We now have seven generations of ministers in our family,” said Tommy Fountain Sr., who also grew up as a preacher’s kid. “So, we understand what it means to be called out.”
The 1025 worship team will lead worship at the conference.
