East Zion District Congress of Christian Education Scheduled

By M. Patterson, Director Communications & Public Relations; Fairview Missionary Ba |  July 6, 2017

The leadership of the East Zion Consolidated District has announced the 97th Annual Session of the District Congress of Christian Education, scheduled for July 17 – 21, 2017.  This year’s theme is “Envisioning the Future Exceptionally as We Equip Disciples for Christ,” John 13:35, Luke 14:27, Matthew 28:19-20.    Host churches are Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Rev. Ray Douglas, Pastor (Joint Assemblies and Adult Classes); Greater Shiloh Baptist Church, Rev. Orlando Black, Pastor (Children and Youth); and Greater New Zion Baptist Church, Dr. James Tucker, Pastor (Young Adult Course and I-Rock Preparation).  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 16, at the Northeast Missionary Baptist Church where Congress President Michael McDaniel is Pastor.  The service will begin at 5:00 p.m.  Rev. Anthony Rhone, Pastor of Galilee Baptist Church of Shawnee, 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 officially opens on July 17 at 6:00 p.m.  Evening classes will be held Monday through Thursday, beginning at 6:00 p.m.  A mid-day course will be 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.    

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.

The Mid-Day Leadership Course, No. 5009 – Group Leadership, will be taught by Rev. Dr. Kenneth M. Chapman, Jr., University of Oklahoma staff member and Assistant to the Pastor at 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, ages 18 – 35, are encouraged to enroll in Course No. 8048 – Young Adults Work in the Church, led by Rev. Derrick E. Walter, Sr., Assistant Pastor, Fairview Missionary 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. 

The Children and Youth Department, under the Direction of Rev. James Brown, of Greater Shiloh, has a designed program and dedicated, trained staff to provide Christian education to those aged 5 – 17.  Their week study is showcased on Friday night at 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
  • 1072 – Introduction to the New Testament:  Rev. Hersey Hammons, First Baptist Church, Guthrie
  • No. 1075 – The Synoptic Gospels: Rev. Lee Benson, Edmond
  • No. 1079 – Survey of John: Rev. Arthur Crawford, Fairview Baptist Church, Oklahoma City
  • No. 1089 – Survey of Romans: Rev. W. B. Woodberry, Greater Bethel Baptist Church, Oklahoma City
  • No. 1109 – Eschatology:Rev. Orlando Black, Greater Shiloh Baptist Church, Oklahoma City
  • No. 1112 – Survey of Revelation: Rev. Dr. Allen Threatt, III, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Arcadia
  • No. 2023 – Creative Ways of Teaching:Sis. Sandra Holloway, Fairview Baptist Church
  • No. 3008 – Theology and History of Christianity:Rev. Al Walter, New Hope Baptist Church, Chickasha
  • No. 4026 – The Anatomy of Cults: Rev. Craig Finley, First Baptist Church – Hicks Addition, Spencer
  • No. 5009 – Group Leadership: Rev. Dr. Kenneth M. Chapman, Jr. (Mid-day course, 11:30 – 1:00 p.m.)
  • No. 5012 – Becoming an Effective Deacon: Rev. Dr. 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
  • No. 6021 – Spiritual Formation: Sis. Johnneese Walter, Fairview Baptist Church
  • No. 7005 – Christian Evangelism: Rev. Cleo McGlory, Fairview Baptist Church
  • No. 7018 – How to Become a Strong, Christian Black Woman: Sis. Ramona Dindy, Greater Bethel Baptist Church
  • No. 7024 – Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts: Rev. Dr. Gregory Rogers, Sr., Gideon Baptist Church, Oklahoma City
  • No. 8048 – Young Adults’ Work in the Church: Rev. Derrick E. Walter, Sr., Fairview Baptist Church (Young Adult Course)
  • No. 8051 – Maintaining a Good Marriage:Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. West, St. Luke Baptist Church, Spencer
  • No. 8066 – Christianity and Contemporary Issues: Sis. Marcy Turner, Fairview Baptist Church
  • No. 9024 – The Computer in the Life of the Church:Dr. Carol Fletcher-Richards, Greater Shiloh Baptist Church
  • No. 9905 – The Essentials of Sermon Preparation (Minister’s Course: Narrative Preaching): Rev. Teron V. Gaddis, Greater Bethel Baptist Church
Congress registration is $15 for adults and $10 for children and youth, ages 5 - 17.  Early registration is now available and will close July 12.  It can be completed online at www.fairviewokc.com, or download a print-and-mail form from the site.  After July 12, registration must be completed onsite.  Onsite registration will begin on July 16 at the Pre-Registration Worship Service. 

Early registration is encouraged to assure entrance in the desired course as classes will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis and closed when capacity is reached.  Over 600 delegates attended the 2016 Session and as many are expected for 2017.  Those needing nursery services should RSVP to the Congress 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 L. 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.
 

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