By Allan Eakin, Associate Editor
Celebration 2023, formerly known as the National Senior Adult Conference, featured concerts, worship music, preaching, a Sight and Sound Theater presentation, giveaways and lots of fellowship. Lifeword Executive Director Donny Parrish, who also serves as the director of conferences for the BMA of America, kicked off the event by welcoming the 400-plus participants.
The conference featured two concerts. Redeemed Renuion! — a trio of Mike Goodwin, Rick Talley and Penny Tally — sang during the opening session. They sang at one of the first National Senior Adult Conferences and were asked by Parrish to reform the group for a reunion concert. The second musical group featured during the Wednesday morning session was The Erwins, a nationally recognized southern gospel group. Having just completed an extended recording session in Nashville, Tenn., the group arrived in Branson at 4:30 a.m. for a 9 a.m. concert. Although weary, the group ministered to Celebration 2023 participants amazingly well.
The unofficial theme of the conference was the goodness of God, which included a worship song, “Evidence” by Josh Baldwin, introduced by Drew Russell, worship pastor at First Baptist Church in Magnolia, who led worship at the conference, that included video testimonies from church members about God’s continued goodness during really difficult times. The conference speaker, Dustin Wisely, the church’s pastor, challenged the conference participants throughout the conference from John 13-17, Jesus’ time with the disciples in the Upper Room. In each session, he encouraged attendees to love others like Jesus did. His final appeal was for Senior Adults to recognize the need and the unique opportunity they possess to invest in younger generations of adults in their own church.
The Branson show included in the event was Queen Esther at the Sight and Sound Theater. Conference participants enjoyed the dramatic presentation of the story of Esther as described in the Bible.
Several BMAA departments, sponsored ministries and two BMA of Arkansas departments served as vendors, treating guests to giveaways, information and door prizes. The Baptist Trumpet and Central Baptist College were the two Arkansas departments that participated.
“Wow, what a great conference! I appreciate all who came and gave us a great attendance this year. Bro. Dustin and Bro. Drew were used by the Lord to lead us into great worship sessions. And the fellowship was tremendous. Many have said that this was one of our best conferences ever, and I would have to agree,” said Parrish.
Celebration 2024 is set for Nov. 12-14, 2024, at the Chateau on the Lake Hotel and Resort in Branson, Mo.
