East Zion District Congress Scheduled

By G. Rogers; M. Patterson |  June 18, 2015

The East Zion Consolidated District is excited to announce the 95th Annual Session of the District Congress of Christian Education, scheduled for July 13 – 17, 2015.  This year’s theme is “Envisioning the Future Exceptionally, with emphasis on “Discipleship to Leadership,” John 13:35, Luke 14:27, and Matthew 28:19-20.  Host church is the St. Luke Baptist Church, 1001 NE 50th Street, Spencer, Rev. Kenneth West, Host Pastor.  The congress will offer classes and programs for ages two years through adult. 

The session will officially open on July 13 at 6:00 p.m.  Evening classes will be held Monday through Thursday, beginning at 6:00 p.m.  This year’s session provides a mid-day course from 11:30 to 1:00 p.m.  The Dean’s Annual Address will be on Tuesday, July 14, at 7:00 p.m.  The President’s Annual Message will be Thursday, July 16, 7:00 p.m.  Those that have completed courses of study set forth by the SSPB will be recognized on President’s night.  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 and children and youth classes will meet at the St. Luke.  The Young Adult iROCK group, designed for ages 18 – 35, will meet at Bethlehem Star Baptist Church, 2704 N. E. 24th Street, Oklahoma City, Rev. Rodney Payne, pastor.  The mid-day course will be held at Wildewood Baptist Church, 60 NE 63rd Street, Rev. Earl Bryant, pastor.

The Congress offers a wealth of learning opportunities to help individuals grow spiritually and in their work and witness in the world for Christ.  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 student may graduate, receive CEU or receive a Certificate of Progress after a prescribed program of study or simply take classes for general continuing education.

Added segments this year are the mid-day class and the young adult section.  The mid-day course, Course No. 5009 – Group Leadership, will be taught by Dr. Michael Chapman, Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee.  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. 2057 - Understanding and Teaching Young Adults (Today), led by Rev. Rodney Payne, Pastor of Bethlehem Star Baptist Church.  This group, referenced iROCK, 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. 1072 - Introduction to the New Testament, Rev. Lee Benson, Macedonia Baptist Church, Wewoka
  • No. 1079 - Survey of John, Rev. Wilbur 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. 1109 – Eschatology, Rev. Orlando Black, Greater Shiloh Baptist Church, Oklahoma City
  • Course No. 2057 – Understanding and Teaching Young Adults (Today), Rev. Rodney Payne, Bethlehem Star Baptist Church, Oklahoma City (Young Adult Course)
  • No. 5001 - Introduction to Leadership, Rev. Craig Finley, First Baptist Church – Hicks Addition, Spencer
  • No. 5009 – Group Leadership, Dr. Michael Chapman, Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee (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. 7013 – The Autopsy of a Deceased Church (Witnessing to Un-churched People), Rev. Earl Bryant, Wildewood Baptist Church, Oklahoma City
  • No. 8054 - Parenting and Family Counseling (How to Become a Strong Christian, Young and Happy), Sis. Johnneese Walter, Fairview 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
 Congress registration is $15 for adults and $10 for children and youth, ages 6 - 17.  Young Adults, ages 18 – 35, enrolled in Course No 2057 and participating in the iROCK segment will receive a discounted registration rate of $10.

Pre-registration opens June 15 and closes July 8.  Registration can be completed online at www.fairviewokc.com.  Early registration is encouraged as classes will be filled on a first come-first served basis.  Onsite registration will be conducted on July 13.  Those needing nursery services should RSVP to the Dean’s Office (405) 613-2154 by July 8. 

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. Arthur Crawford is District Moderator; Rev. L. Mike Woodberry is Congress President and Rev. Gregory L. Rogers, Sr., is Congress Dean. 

Questions regarding the congress or a specified course of study should be directed to the Dean’s Office at the number above or by emailing grogers66@cox.net.

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