Right Relationship with God; Right Relationships with People
The Red Bird Missionary Conference held its fall Spiritual Life Retreat in the cafeteria of Red Bird Mission School on Friday November 4, 2005. It was a beautiful day as a crowd of one hundred and fifty employees, volunteers, pastors, visitors and friends from the diverse ministries of the conference gathered for a day of rest, learning, inspiration and humor. People gathered from ministries in nine eastern Kentucky counties and one county of Tennessee, representing the mission work of Henderson Settlement, Red Bird Mission and Clinic, The Bennett Center of London, Conference Churches and Outreach Centers, Appalachian Local Pastors School and Camp O'Cumberlands.
After music, original songs written, strummed and sung by Kevin Wilson-a former dorm student and 1990 graduate of Red Bird Mission School, we welcomed Rev. Dr. Terry Faris, Corbin DS, the retreat leader. Terry came bearing gifts! When Brother Terry announced he would not accept anything for his leadership-saying "I owe you for this privilege…"-what would have been his was designated on the spot to be added to the 2006 RBMC Mission Offering to help build Wesley Camp in Latvia!
During the day, Terry had the wonderful opportunity to renew some long-term friendships: David Warden (College & Seminary Friend), Ed Farmer (Seminary P.O. Box Partner), Persy Pursiful (Terry was his pastor at Middlesboro, 1975-1980), and to make many new and wonderful friends, and in particular, Revs. Russ & Kathy Pierce, as he is the new Director of The Bennett Center in London, Ky.
Throughout the day Rev. Faris presented an engaging and humorous presentation of the vertical relationship between human beings and God that is expressed in the Psalms as well as the wisdom for horizontal relationships among people presented in the Proverbs. Brother Terry was heard "speaking in tongues," that is, Koine Greek, Hebrew, German, Spanish and English during his teaching and storytelling. He always interpreted! It was a great day with our hearts and minds touched and the Spirit of God in our midst.
The Red Bird Missionary Conference is blessed by fellowship with the Corbin District of the Kentucky Annual Conference.
Chuck Jack - Superintendent of the Red Bird Missionary Conference
