Moody Bible Institute conducts pastors conference: Don Engle tells of WCG transformation

By Don Engle

CHICAGO, Illinois--I attended the annual pastors conference at Moody Bible Institute May 18 to 21 along with 1,300 pastors and staff representing more than 50 denominations.

I attended the conference last year also and have found them truly inspiring. Speakers included John MacArthur, Max Lucado, Tony Evans, Erwin Lutzer, Rod Cooper, D.A. Carson and Joseph Stowell.

I met each one and found them to be encouraged by the changes in the WCG. Many pastors said that what has occurred in our denomination is an answer to prayer.

We had great messages, praise and worship before each general session led by Joseph Garlington (Promise Keepers and Stand in the Gap worship leader) and professional musicians and entertainers.

Workshop topics included growing a healthy church; church leadership; evangelism; couple conflict resolution; pastors' prayer life; missions; youth ministry; issues in the African-American church; and conflict resolution in churches.

I met Joseph Stowell, president of Moody Bible Institute, last year and he made positive comments about the WCG to the general assembly at that conference.

This year, I went up to say hello, and he said he wanted to bring me up in front of the group on the last evening and interview me about what has occurred in our fellowship.

That evening, Dr. Stowell asked me to explain what occurred in our church and what brought about the changes.

The evening sessions, including my interview with Dr. Stowell, were broadcast on Moody radio, with markets coast to coast.

Next year's conference will be May 24 to 27.

Don Engle pastors the Rochester, Minnesota, and Mason City, Iowa, churches.