East Zion District Congress of Christian Education Scheduled

By M. Patterson |  June 28, 2016

The East Zion Consolidated District is excited to announce the 96th Annual Session of the District Congress of Christian Education, scheduled for July 18 – 22, 2016.  This year’s theme is “Envisioning the Future Exceptionally, with emphasis on “Making Disciples,” John 13:35, Luke 14:27, and Matthew 28:19-20.  Host churches are Paradise Baptist Church, Rev. Wilbert Tripplett, Pastor, and Northeast Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Michael McDaniel, Pastor.  The churches are located on N. Bartel Road at N. E. 36th Street in Forest Park, Oklahoma.  The congress will offer classes and programs for ages two years through adult. 

The session kickoff will be a Pre-Registration Service on Sunday evening, July 17, at the Northeast Missionary Baptist Church.  The service will begin at 5:00 p.m.  Rev. Kelly Booker, Pastor of New Union Baptist Church, will be the preacher.  Registration will be open during that time to allow churches and delegates to complete their registration process and avoid normal frustrations associated with first day-registration.

The Congress will officially open on July 18 at 6:00 p.m.  Evening classes will be held Monday through Thursday, beginning at 6:00 p.m.  This year’s session will again provide a mid-day course from 11:30 to 1:00 p.m.  The Dean’s Annual Address will be on Tuesday, July 19, at 7:00 p.m.  The President’s Annual Message will be Thursday, July 21, 7:00 p.m.  Those that have completed courses of study set forth by the Sunday School Publishing Board of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., will be recognized during the session.  The Annual Session will close on Friday night with the Children and Youth Rally and the iROCK Young Adult Explosion.  Friday night’s service will begin at 6:30 p.m. 

The joint assemblies, adult classes (including the Mid-day class) and children and youth classes will meet at the Paradise and Northeast Baptist churches.  The Young Adult iROCK group, designed for ages 18 – 35, will meet at Bethlehem Star Baptist Church, 2704 N. E. 24th Street, Oklahoma City.

The District Congress of Christian Education is the education arm of the East Zion Consolidated District Association and is affiliated with the Oklahoma Baptist State Convention and the National Baptist Convention (NBC), USA, Inc.   It is responsible for teaching and training classes in every aspect of Christian Education.  Courses offered are certified through the Sunday School Publishing Board (SSPB) of the NBC, USA, Inc. The delegates may graduate or receive a Certificate of Progress after a prescribed program of study or simply take classes for general continuing education.

Two new segments added last year will be offered again this year:  the Mid-day Class and the Young Adult section.  The Mid-day course, Course No. 5009 – Group Leadership, will be taught by Rev. Dr. Kenneth Chapman, University of Oklahoma staff member and House of Prayer Baptist Church.  Those taking this course, in addition to an evening class, will have the ability to receive two course credits during the session.

Young adults are encouraged to enroll in Course No. 8048 – Young Adults’ Work in the Church, led by Rev. Rodney Payne, Pastor of Bethlehem Star Baptist Church.  In addition to the course of study, the participants will have the opportunity to experience and express themselves through demonstration of spiritual authenticity, integrating Biblical study, thematic messages, music, dance, and other expressions.  The culmination will be the iROCK Young Adult Explosion on Friday night, following the Children and Youth Rally. 

This year’s adult course offerings and assigned instructors are, respectively: 

  • No. 1038 – The Survey of Proverbs: Rev. Earl Bryant, Wildewood Baptist Church, Oklahoma City
  • No. 1075 – The Synoptic Gospels: Rev. Lee Benson, Edmond
  • No. 1079 - Survey of John: Rev. Wilbert Tripplett, Paradise Baptist Church, Forest Park
  • No. 1081 - The Teachings of Jesus: Rev. Hersey Hammons, First Baptist Church, Guthrie
  • No. 1089 - Survey of Romans: Rev. W. B. Woodberry, Greater Bethel Baptist Church, Oklahoma City
  • No. 1112 - Survey of Revelation: Rev. Allen Threatt, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Arcadia
  • No. 2044 – Teaching Youth: Sis. Marcy Turner, Fairview Baptist Church, Oklahoma City
  • No. 5001 - Introduction to Leadership: Rev. Craig Finley, First Baptist Church – Hicks Addition, Spencer
  • Course No. 5009 – Group Leadership: Dr. Kenneth M. Chapman, University of Oklahoma, (Mid-day course, 11:30 – 1:00 p.m.)
  • No. 5012 - Becoming an Effective Deacon: Rev. Kelly Booker, New Union Baptist Church, Oklahoma City
  • No. 5014 - The Role of the Minister’s Wife: Sis. LaShai Rhone, Galilee Baptist Church, Shawnee
  • No. 6003 - The Work of the Church Trustee: Bro. Bob Simmons, Fairview Baptist Church, Oklahoma City
  • No. 6021 – Spiritual Formation: Sis. Johnneese Walter, Fairview Baptist Church
  • No. 7005 – Christian Evangelism: Rev. Cleo McGlory, Fairview Baptist Church
  • No. 7010 – Introduction to Discipleship: Rev. Arthur Crawford, Fairview Baptist Church
  • No. 7018 – How to Become a Strong, Christian Black Woman: Sis. Ramona Dindy, Oklahoma City
  • No. 7024 – Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts: Rev. Gregory Rogers, Sr., Gideon Baptist Church, Oklahoma City  
  • No. 9905 - The Essentials of Sermon Preparation (Minister’s Course: Narrative Preaching): Rev. Teron V. Gaddis, Greater Bethel Baptist Church, Oklahoma City
  • No. 9910 - Closing the Back Door (Church Conflicts): Rev. Ray Douglas, Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Oklahoma City
  • Course No. 8048 – Young Adults’ Work in the Church: Rev. Rodney Payne, Bethlehem Star Baptist Church, Oklahoma City (Young Adult Course)
 
Congress registration is $15 for adults and $10 for children and youth, ages 5 - 17.  Young Adults, ages 18 – 35, enrolled in Course No. 8048 and participating in the iROCK segment, will receive a discounted registration rate of $10.

Registration is now open and will close July 11.  Afterwards, it must be completed onsite during the session.   Registration can be completed online at www.fairviewokc.com, or download a print-and-mail form from the site.  Early registration is encouraged as classes will be filled on a first come-first served basis.  Onsite registration will begin on July 17.  Those needing nursery services should RSVP to the Dean’s Office at 405-388-1419 or lmoore817@cox.net.    

The leadership of the EZCDA encourages all churches of the District, as well as unaffiliated persons of the area, to be a part of the worship and study periods.  Rev. L. Mike Woodberry is District Moderator, Rev. Michael McDaniel is Congress President and Sis. Lavinnie Moore is Congress Dean. 
Questions regarding the congress or a specified course of study should be directed to the Dean’s Office at the contact information above.

Return to News