Churchwide Updates: John Upton and the Ascent Network
| Churchwide Updates | Dr. Wayne Splawn
I first became aware of the work of the Ascent Network from two trusted colleagues. Dr. Travis Collins, Pastor of First Baptist Church in Huntsville, and Dr. Todd Still, Dean of Truett Seminary at Baylor University, told me about an emerging network of churches committed to the mission of evangelizing North America with the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was intrigued initially, and as I have learned more about this interdenominational network of churches, I have been impressed by their leadership and feel hopeful about the connections our church can make through the Ascent Network. Mary Splawn and I attended their annual meeting this past March, and Mark Rector and I went on a visioning trip with Ascent to learn more about the work of Canadian Baptists in Quebec just over a week ago.
This Sunday, October 19, we will be joined by Dr. John Upton, Project Lead for Church Engagement, with the Ascent Network. John has had a long and faithful career in Baptist life. He served as the Executive Director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia for twenty-one years before being named the Executive Director Emeritus of the BGAV. John was also the President of the Baptist World Alliance for 5 years. John will preach in both the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. worship services, visit with our ministerial staff, and attend the Deacons’ meeting on Monday night. Please welcome John to our church this weekend and be prayerful about the ways the Lord might use this emerging network of churches to help others experience eternal and abundant life in Jesus Christ in North America and even to the ends of the earth.