Wives' luncheon draws sellout crowd

Photo by Eva Wolever

Debbie Brunson, pastor’s wife from First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, hosted the wives’ luncheon.

SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Author and radio personality Nancy Leigh DeMoss addressed a sellout crowd of 1,600 at the June 12 Ministers' Wives' Luncheon during the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in San Antonio.

Comedian Dennis Swanberg and biblical counselor June Hunt joined DeMoss on the program at the fiesta-style luncheon hosted by Debbie Brunson, wife of Mac Brunson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville. Brunson welcomed wives to "Revive, Renew, and Rejoice."

DeMoss identified various issues that may cause ministry wives "to lose the wonder of who God is, the wonder of the Gospel and the wonder of their calling to ministry."

"This whole concept of 'the Lord is my Shepherd' isn't just something nice to put on a plaque," DeMoss said, exhorting women to meditate on Psalm 23. "It is the nitty-gritty of life."

Life abounds with opportunities, challenges and sometimes with one's own sinfulness, but no matter what, DeMoss assured, God's grace will flow even more.

"We're called to have lives that overflow with Christ ... so that we can be generous to others. Extreme grace leads to extreme joy, [which] leads to being extremely generous. It all goes back to Him."

Those attending received copies of DeMoss's recent book, Choosing Forgiveness inside a colorful straw bag, handmade by women from Madagascar participating in a WorldCrafts project through Woman's Missionary Union.

Creating a festive look, the tables were decorated with centerpieces comprised of Thai silk pillow covers and silk table runners made by Australians of the Pacific Rim region, Vietnamese beaded purses, Laos tribal bags, turquoise Myanmar nativities, necklaces and earrings from Muslim tribal people and Chinese candle holders.

Brunson told Baptist Press IMB missionaries provided the pieces to be sold at the luncheon with proceeds going to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. "As these gifts will remind us, revival is taking place literally around the world and our Southern Baptist missionaries are in the heart of God's movement."

Following the keynote address, author and biblical counselor June Hunt offered ministry wives counsel for handling problems in family and ministry life. Real questions Hunt received in advance included: how to say "no," what to do when a pastor's children don't want to attend church, and steps to take if one's husband is addicted to Internet pornography.

In the business portion of the meeting, officers were elected for the 2009 luncheon in Louisville, Ky.: Diane Strack of Orlando, president; Mary Mohler of Louisville, vice president; Liliana Lewis of Austin, Texas, recording secretary-treasurer; and Karen Crowe of Laurel, Miss., correspondence secretary.

Officers for the 2008 luncheon in Indianapolis are Liz Traylor of Pensacola, president; Diana Davis of Indianapolis, vice president; Beth Robertson of Valdosta, Ga., correspondence secretary; and Eileen Sheets of Rifle, Colo., secretary/treasurer.