This year, I was not able to participate in much of the convention at all. I spent most of my time working the SBTS booth. Do not get me wrong, though. Working the booth was a rather enjoyable experience. It was great seeing old friends and classmates I had not seen in years. It was neat to see how Basil Manly Jr.’s hymn has come true. The 2004 class of Boyce (and classes close to that graduating year) are scattered abroad. We met to part and part to meet. We are laboring away, here on this earth, for the sake of the kingdom. I look forward to casting my crowns at the feet of Christ with each of my co-laborers in Christ.  How well it does me to hear how our God is using each of them all over the globe!

It was equally sweet to hear the stories of the alumni of years past.  Southern Seminary has a rich tradition of turning out gospel ministers. Within each one is an urgent sense of the gospel call that came to them, some were many years ago. I hear of the friendships developed with other students and professors alike. I hear the stories of the hard tests and long study hours they too endured. In each of their stories, I hear my own memories that are still being created at this institution.  This convention, in reality, was 150 years in the
making.

Rather than bore you with a blow by blow account of my 2009 SBC experience, allow me to offer you some highlights:

• Listening to J.D. Greear preach on Sunday night. This was the only Pastor’s Conference message I was able to listen to at the SBC. His 6 challenges from Matthew 23 still ring out in my mind.
• Dinner with Dr. Dockery and the brothers. What a truly encouraging time to meet with like minded, young, gospel-living, local church-loving guys. What an incredible and humbling experience to see this giant in the faith pour himself into 12 or 13 guys. My heart is still hot from listening to their hopes for the future of the SBC.
• Meeting this one particular alumni who graduated in 1983 and hearing his stories of the turmoil around SBTS at that time. It was moving to hear his joy, through tears, in Dr. Mohler’s leadership. I realized, in that moment, that I so often take for granted the leadership and faculty of the school that I love so dearly.
• Seeing my classmates. I have already expressed my feelings on this. It instills a sense of purpose as to why I am here.
• Gathering at SBTS on Wednesday to commemorate 150 years of theological education. This was truly a once in a lifetime event. If God were to grant me long life, I would be 83 when SBTS celebrated her 200th anniversary. I pray that I am spent out for the gospel before then.
• Shaking the hand of the Honorable Judge Paul Pressler. On the verge of a Great Commission Resurgence, this was a momentous occassion for me. I know the GCR would not be possible without the work of men like him as well as Adrian Rogers, Paige Patterson, and Jimmy Draper.
• Watching the Twitter hashtag #SBC2009 and hearing the hallway business regarding the GCR, Morris Chapman’s rant (er, report), and other silly motions of business.

I am thankful for cooperation. I am thankful for the history of the SBC. I am thankful that God has stirred us for a passion to see His name great and greatly praised. May the GCR happen…and may it begin with me!

Here is the sermon audio from my sermon in June 21, 2009 at Elk Lick Baptist Church in Owenton, Kentucky.  As of June 21, I am operating as the interim pastor of this church.  It is wonderful to serve these sweet people once again.  I preached this text, my sermon entitled, “Gospel Trumpeters: How the Thessalonian Example is Made Alive for us Today.”

I have been preaching the last few weeks at Elk Lick Baptist Church in Owenton, KY.  This is, in one sense, home for me.  This was my first pastorate.  These people will always be loved by my household.  When we go there, my kids are sure to have at least 5 or 6 grandmothers in the room.

Their pastor left, recently, in preparation to his move to the mission field.  I have been filing in for them the last few weeks.  Today, I started in 1 Thessalonians.  I am unsure as to how long I will be with the good people of Elk Lick, but for now, we are studying this book.  Here is the audio from this morning.

As time allows, I enjoy listening to audio sermons.  One I regularly listen to is David Platt of The Church at Brook Hills fame.  I was listening to this sermon, entitled God-Centered Community, and he was speaking to the need of raising kids who do not fall away from the faith.  I am unsure as to where Dr. Platt received this information, but he quotes this:

Three biggest factors that determine a child’s persevering faith into adulthood:

1. Spiritual conversations with Dad.
2. Spiritual conversations with Mom.
3. Serving together as a family.

May we, as parents, talk of the things of Christ with our children and show them how to serve Christ by serving others.

Kevin Steele, formerly the defensive coordinator for the University of Alabama, is the new defensive coordinator at Clemson. Below is what Coach Dabo had to say:

“Kevin Steele is one of the most respected coaches in the nation,” said Swinney. “He has served under Hall of Fame head coaches who have won national championships and also has experience in the NFL. He has also been ranked as the number-one recruiter in the nation and has coached in eight BCS level bowl games. He has recruited this state for many years and is respected by the high school coaches of South Carolina. He is a perfect fit for this staff.”

I am already looking forward to next season!  Now that Tommy is gone, the Tigers should be on the right track.

I have recently dove into the sport of handgun shooting.  Is that sport?  Well, hobby…there you go.  It did not take too long at my favorite range to figure out that I needed to find a more economical way to shoot!

So this afternoon, my new contraption arrived!  It is a Lee Hand Press.  I am looking forward to loading my own ammo, I think it will be fun.  Below are some pictures of the “unboxing” and hopefully, there will be some pictures of the results of said contraption soon!

In case you haven’t noticed, I completely destroyed the old dwaynehewers.com  That’s fine….   No big deal…  It gives me a great reason to start over.  What to expect from this place?  Who knows…really.  I trust you find the gospel here…as well as some fun stuff, too.