Editor’s note: The following is an edited transcript of Clare Jewell’s message at the 2024 GARBC Conference.
It’s interesting sometimes how God speaks to you in funny ways.
This morning I was telling my wife that during my quiet time I was thinking about the fact that this message is a little bit longer—don’t panic; not a lot longer, but a little bit longer—than what I normally have prepared, at least in terms of how it’s scripted out. And I sit down and here’s the Scripture that stands before me as I start to read this morning: Proverbs 10:19. “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise” (NKJV).
And I thought, “Well, I wonder if that was on purpose or not.” And the very first words of the author of the devotional say, “It is not by accident.”
Over one hundred years ago, or close to one hundred years ago, a group of pastors and churches decided to come together to separate from apostasy. Their coming together was sorely needed to promote the gospel and to focus on the Great Commission, and I’m very grateful. They formed an association that became a movement. And over the years, I think it would be fair to say that thousands of people came to faith in Christ through the sharing of the gospel in those churches that were part of this association.
I say to you today we have a similar opportunity to come together—to come together as we do every year, to ignite a movement that will give thousands more the opportunity to respond to the gospel. And I want to suggest to you that the way we ignite that movement is by coming together. It is through our unity, united as members of God’s family.
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Clare Jewell is national representative of the GARBC.
