Over the next nine months, GES plans to conduct several regional conferences. If the Lord allows, these will provide an opportunity for many of you to attend one of these events.
For those who have never attended one, the usual practice is for these conferences to cover one-and-a-half days. Most often, they take place at a hosting church. They are scheduled on weekends and often include a sermon at the church on Sunday. GES provides the speakers; most of the time, at least one local speaker is involved.
The topics vary but always deal with Free Grace issues. The local folks pick what they think their people would like to study, which determines the theme. Sometimes, a book of the Bible is chosen, and the speakers highlight the Free Grace issues in that particular book.
GES often sets up a book table so people can buy Free Grace materials. One of the great features of these book tables is that the people who bring the books don’t want to carry them back home (or fly with them), so GES always gives great deals on the literature. Many, for example, have been helped in their understanding of the Scriptures through the writings of Zane Hodges, and these conferences are a great way to get some of his books, either for yourself or as gifts for others.
Regional conferences are usually smaller than the national conference and thus provide opportunities for greater fellowship with the folks who come. There is a time of questions and answers. Sometimes, there is a panel discussion. Many people associated with GES often remark that finding Free Grace-minded people in their area is sometimes hard. These conferences are one way to help rectify that situation.
So, what regionals do we have planned? We have six scheduled over the next nine months. On October 20-21, we are having a Dallas regional (at Vista Ridge Bible Fellowship in Lewisville) on major Free Grace issues.
On November 10-11, in the Tallahassee, FL, and Thomasville, GA area, we will have a regional on the differences between eternal life and rewards. This one will be in both English and Spanish. We are also looking at having some new books in Spanish available for the people who come.
Another regional is scheduled in Columbus, GA, on February 9-10, 2024.
On March 9-10, 2024, we plan to have a conference dealing with the Lord’s parables in Boise, ID.
For people on the West Coast, we are planning a regional in Portland, OR, on April 5-6, 2024.
For the most adventurous readers of our blogs, we have scheduled a regional in Europe. We want to do our first-ever conference in Italy on May 3-4, 2024, in a suburb of Milan. This will give some of our translators who live in Europe a chance to attend a conference. We are also looking at having available one of Hodges’ books translated into Italian. The sessions will be in both English and Italian.
Soon after the regional in Italy, we are looking at having the national conference May 20-23 in Denton, TX, where we have met for the last couple of years. The theme is the Epistles of Peter.
Whether or not you have ever attended a GES conference, I would encourage any of you who are able to come. Maybe one of these will be the first time one of our conferences is available near your home. It could be a part of your vacation plans. I am sure you will enjoy it!
Look on the GES website (see here) for more information on each conference.
