Devoted
Conference
November 1-3, 2024
Ridgecrest, NC
We regret to announce that the Devoted Conference is cancelled for this year.
Ridgecrest Conference Center is sheltering the FEMA relief crews that are helping with the recent flooding, and therefore is not able to host events any time soon. Originally the conference center thought the relief crews would be gone by November 1st, but it is necessary that they stay longer.
While we are disappointed, we are glad that Ridgecrest is prioritizing relief efforts at this time. Please pray for them as they show Christ to many workers on their campus who are lost! We realize this is very much a last-minute change for everyone, and we are very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
We hope, however, you will still consider joining us next year, November 7-9, 2025. We are presently working on the necessary refunds to everyone who has registered. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Proverbs 16:9, “The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.”
Theme for 2024
Devoted to the Spirit
In a world of sensuality, mysticism, spiritual confusion, and charismatic chaos, this year’s theme will seek to paint a clear biblical picture of Who the Holy Spirit is, what He does, why He is necessary, and how we should be devoted to Him. We want to stress that the Holy Spirit is not a force to be manipulated, but God to be worshipped, co-equal with the Father and the Son (Gen 1:2; Mt 28:19-20; Jn 16:1-15). We want to affirm that nothing of spiritual significance in the Christian life can be accomplished apart from the Spirit’s work and power (1 Cor 2:4; Gal 5:22-23; Eph 3:16; 1 Thess 1:5). We want to clarify for the Church what the gifts of the Spirit are and how they function (Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12-14; 1 Pet 4:10-11). And we want to encourage a new generation of Christians to walk by the Spirit (Gal 5:16), to be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18), to be led by the Spirit (Rom 8:14), and to worship in the Spirit (Jn 4:23-24; Phil 3:3).
Speakers for 2024
Dr. Shane Koehler
Shane was born and raised in Alabama, where he came to Christ at the age of 17. After college, he served for two years as a missionary with the International Mission Board (IMB) in Hainan, China. Upon returning to the States, Shane served in the mission’s department at First Baptist Church in Woodstock, GA. In 2000, He graduated with his MDiv from The Master’s Seminary in Sun Valley, CA and went on to pastor for three years at East Columbia Baptist Church in Columbia, SC. In 2003, God called him to Faith Community Church in Woodstock, GA, where he currently serves as Teaching Pastor and professor of hermeneutics at The Expositors Seminary. Shane also has a PhD from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife Tara have been married since 1996 and have four children.
Costi Hinn
Costi serves as the Teaching Pastor at Shepherd’s House Bible Church in Chandler, AZ and the founder and president of For the Gospel. He is currently completing his DMin at The Master’s Seminary, and is the author of several books including, Knowing the Spirit (Zondervan, 2023), More Than a Healer, God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel, and Defining Deception. He has also co-authored a children’s book alongside his wife Christyne titled, In Jesus’ Name I Pray: TJ the Squirrel Learns the True Heart of Prayer (Harvest House Kids, 2022). Costi and Christyne live in Gilbert, AZ with their five children.
Carey Hardy
Born in Cairo, IL, and raised in Houston, TX, with a background in Christian music, Carey left a career as a pharmacist to pursue pastoral ministry. Carey graduated from The Masters Seminary (MDiv) and was on staff at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA for 13 years, eventually serving as the Senior Executive Pastor and Personal Assistant to Dr. John MacArthur. In October of 2006, Carey became the senior pastor of Twin City Bible Church in Winston Salem, NC. He is on the faculty of The Expositors Seminary teaching biblical counseling and is also on the board of The Italian Theological Academy. He and his wife, Pam, are blessed with four adult children and two grandchildren.
Giveaway Resources for 2024
Knowing the Spirit by Costi Hinn
Whether intentionally or not, many Christians today seek health, wealth, and happiness by summoning the Holy Spirit like a genie to grant their wishes. When things don’t go the way they think they should, disappointment and disillusionment abound. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
In Knowing the Spirit, author, pastor, and speaker Costi Hinn shows you why a relationship with the Holy Spirit is the most important next step on your journey as a Christian. Using clear and sound interpretation of Scripture, Costi clarifies who the Holy Spirit is–and who he isn’t–and answers some of the most important and most frequently asked questions about him.
A Biblical Case for Cessationism
by Tom Pennington
Did God intend for the miraculous gifts, so powerfully present during the ministry of the apostles, to continue throughout the church age? This crucial question has massive implications for every follower of Jesus Christ. Sadly, the debate over this issue has often produced more heat than light. But in the end, only one factor should determine how we answer that question: What does the Bible say?
In A Biblical Case for Cessationism, Tom Pennington carefully considers seven primary biblical arguments for the cessation of the miraculous gifts of the Spirit. As a seasoned pastor and faithful expositor, Tom will help you consider what Scripture teaches about an issue that affects every aspect of the Christian experience—from your view of Scripture and philosophy of church ministry to your daily walk as a disciple of Jesus Christ and your relationship with the Holy Spirit.
An Article to Read
Regaining Our Focus: A Response to the Social Action Trend in Evangelical Missions by Joel James & Brian Biedebach
Today churches and missionaries are being told that to imitate the ministry of Jesus they must add social justice to their understanding of the church’s mission. As pastors and missions committees embrace the idea that social action and gospel proclamation are “two wings of the same bird,” the kind of work that they send their missionaries to do changes, and this has a negative effect on world missions. This article highlights those negative effects in an African context, offers historical, practical, and biblical critiques of the trend, and redirects the church’s attention to understanding and fulfilling the Great Commission in the way the apostles did in Acts and the Epistles.
Schedule
November 1-3, 2024
4:00-7:00 PM, Check-in & Registration
7:00-8:30 PM, Session #1 – Devoted to the Deity of the Spirit (Hardy)
8:30-9:15 PM, Debrief & Prayer
9:30-11:00 PM, Fire Pit (Ivy) & Game Night Fellowship (Spilman)
7:15-8:15 AM, Breakfast
9:00-10:15 AM, Session #2 – Devoted to the Power of the Spirit (Hinn)
10:30-11:45 AM, Session #3 – Devoted to the Gifts of the Spirit (Koehler)
12:00-1:00 PM, Lunch
1:00-5:30 PM, Free Time
5:30-6:30 PM, Dinner
7:00-8:15 PM, Session #4 – Q&A (Hardy, Hinn, Koehler)
8:15-9:00 PM, Debrief & Prayer
9:15-11:00 PM, Fire Pit (Ivy) & Game Night Fellowship (Spilman)
7:15-8:15 AM, Breakfast
8:15-9:00 AM, Pack, Clean, & Check-Out
9:00-10:30 AM, Session #5 – Devoted to Walking by the Spirit (Hinn)
10:45-12:00 PM, Session #6 – The Spirit’s Devotion to Us (Koehler)
12:00-12:30 PM, Departure