Tampa Bay Fellowship Bible Conference III Report
March 12th – 14th, 2004
How we thank God for providing yet another opportunity to gather in His name and fellowship around His word. After several months of trying to find a suitable and affordable place in which to host a Bible conference, God, in His perfect timing, led us to the right place. The community center in Holiday, FL, did, indeed, turn out to be a wonderful facility for the weekend conference where 39 of us, including children, met together beginning that Friday evening continuing through Sunday evening. Some came as far away as California and New York. We also had some who drove to the conference from Georgia and Alabama. Nine drove from Jacksonville, FL. But we all came with the intense desire to study the Bible, in-depth, and to fellowship with like-minded believers.
We were thankful that most of those attending were able to stay in the homes of local believers which meant more time could be spent in fellowship in the off-conference hours. More fellowship together was also one of the main reasons for eating all of our meals together. How grateful we are to those who prepared a variety of delicious food – truly, a feast! Most of us can still taste Sister Violet’s Mexican enchiladas, Chinese spring egg rolls, and homemade cookies. Sister Jean also provided us with delicious coffee throughout the conference that helped many of us stay more alert for Bible study. We surely appreciated the baked ham and roasted potatoes she prepared for Saturday lunch. She even remembered Brother John’s birthday on Friday evening with her famous chocolate cake. Many others brought bread, muffins, cereal, juice, water, napkins, paper plates, cups, and many other needed items. It was a wonderful demonstration of “many members, yet but one body.”
This Biblical concept was also demonstrated in many other ways throughout the conference including God allowing our teacher, Brother Zin Yi, to teach and guide us into the deeper truths of the Bible. We were intrigued by the main focus of study for the conference: the Biblical character of Absalom and whom he represents, spiritually. With Bibles, Bible concordances, including the Online Bible program, notebooks, pens, and pencils, we eagerly sat at the spacious tables, taking notes and turning the pages of our Bibles as we followed the “clues” given by God in His word to help us understand the spiritual meaning of Absalom as well as other characters in the Bible.
Although the main focus of this conference was studying the Bible together, we did take time before each session to sing some hymns, led by Brother Tony, and accompanied on keyboard by Sister Kathy. We also heard a few testimonies from those at Tampa Bay Fellowship which were an encouragement to many. Brother John also gave some practical instruction on how to distribute Gospel tracts in a way that honors God and is in obedience to the laws of the land. He also displayed some large signs that he and others at Tampa Bay Fellowship utilize while distributing tracts. These signs included the large magnetic signs that several at TBF display on their car doors as yet another way to proclaim the Gospel. (An example of this can be seen on the Bulletin Board page of www.DistinctlyandRightly.com ). On the very next day following this presentation, one person attending the conference was able to use this information in witnessing to someone in the local area. Throughout the conference, Tampa Bay Fellowship made available tracts and copies of Gospel newspaper articles for anyone interested in using them as witnessing tools. (These tracts and newspaper articles can be seen by clicking on the link, Publishing the Gospel, at www.DistinctlyandRightly.com ).
The Bible question and answer sessions were also of help to many. An Open Forum box was available on the information table throughout the conference for any who preferred to write down their questions. Brother Tony then read aloud each question as time permitted. Those that were left unanswered that weekend were answered Online by Brother Zin a few days later in two different “live” sessions in the Good Message Internet Radio room. You may listen to these questions and answers by going to www.DistinctlyandRightly.com and clicking on the Wednesday Bible Studies link (study given on March 17th, 2004) and the Bible Studies and Q & A Given Online link (the Open Forum given on March 19th, 2004).
It has been wonderful hearing the comments from those who attended this conference. Brother Dave enjoyed seeing the families worshipping and learning together as a family. One person said that “it was good studying God’s word in more depth.” Most said they “loved every minute of it!”
In closing, if anyone would like to have FREE audio CD’s of the conference messages and open forum sessions, please contact Tom & Kathy Sollis via email: tsollis@tampabay.rr.com or by phone: (813)290-0882.
Tampa Bay Fellowship