President Jerry Young’s Message to the Delegates of the 111th Congress Annual Session

Greetings,

Recently I read statistics that stated that of the 300 million people in America, 41 percent do not go to church, even on special holidays as Easter, Christmas, or on the first Sunday of a new year. Even more startling was the statistic that stated that more than 90 percent of those who do attend church have never shared the Gospel with anyone! With mind-boggling statistics as these, how befitting and appropriate it is that the theme for our 111th Congress of Christian Education is “Envisioning the Future, Exceptionally—through Growing Disciples.”

No greater role of our Convention is there than to fulfill the Great Commission of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, when He commissioned us to go, teach, baptize, and make disciples (see Matthew 28:19-20)! As the teaching arm of the NBC, USA, Inc., the Congress of Christian Education has the responsibility to provide our members with powerful yet practical methods, strategies, and information that will equip us to be proficient in sharing the Good News of the Gospel—good news that can lead to eternal life with our heavenly Father. Packed with promise, possibilities, and practicality, our 111th Session has the potential to be a catalyst for adding to the church and increasing the number of Christians who actually share the Gospel with others.

During this week, I pray that each of us will leave with a renewed sense of responsibility to share the Good News and to make disciples while growing and strengthening our own knowledge and skills. I encourage each of us toward thoughtful, engaging, and productive growth so that we can be visible and viable ambassadors of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

I look forward to seeing and greeting you in person in Tampa as, together, we continue to envision our future with a renewed hope in the exceptional power and presence of our God.

I remain,

Yours in the Ministry of Christ and His Church,

Jerry Young