It is hard to believe that it has been almost a week since the 2008 Band of Bloggers fellowship took place. I haven’t really had the time to reflect on everything that has happened over the last few days except to feel a deep sense of gratitude for all the wonderful ways God has blessed and encouraged me through so many people.
My hope and desire behind the BoB fellowship was that it would be an encouragement and blessing to you, to strengthen you and provide opportunity to fellowship and strengthen others to be set apart for the gospel of Jesus Christ. We come from all across the world, all with different stories of how the gospel of Jesus Christ has changed us, shaped us, and continues to transform us from one degree of glory to another until we see His face.
What most of you do not know is that this almost did not happen. In fact, in early February I was one week away before needing to make a decision to call the conference off. The fact that this even happened was the direct result of answered prayer and the kind providence of God. While I have been recognized as the person with the vision for the Band of Bloggers, it cannot be said enough how important each person has been to believe in, and be an important part of, this gospel-driven vision. For instance, many of you have used your blogs and contacts to get the word out about this meeting, where there was a total of over 150 bloggers in attendance, more than twice that of the 2006 fellowship. The immediate needs of financial administration and sound equipment was provided by the gracious help of Tony Kummer and Calvary Baptist Church where he serves. Fantastic graphics and poster design was provided by Jake Stutzman who serves with Heartcry Missionary Society in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. About a dozen of you who attended arrived (very) early to spend a couple of hours making the BoB goody bags (including the publishers who freely provided them!).
One of the dreams I had for this year’s conference was being able to give away two books–one more than 2006. Yet, as I began talking to friends and publishers, two became three, three became four, and four became eight! I am indebted to Desiring God, Founders Press, Reformation Heritage Books, InQuest Ministries, Grace to You, Crossway Books, and Banner of Trust for allowing me to experience so much joy in see these books freely given to so many brothers and sisters. I believe these resources will be invaluable tools in the hands of gospel-centered followers of Christ.
Finally, I want to say a special thanks to the panel for their participation and leadership in the discussion of “The Gospel Trust.” Tim Challies, Thabiti Anyabwile, Abraham Piper, and Phil Johnson did a fantastic job of raising the bar for all of us and fostering the discussion on how to be good stewards with our blogs for the sake of the gospel. I also want to express my appreciation to Justin Taylor who was not able to be with us due to the exciting adoption opportunity which precluded his participation. Justin has been and continues to be a wonderful supporter of BoB, and his absence from this year’s meeting was significant.
In the future, we are hoping to continue with the vision to be good stewards of the gospel trust by developing a center for perpetuating gospel-centeredness in the evangelical blogosphere. Please stay tuned for developments in the upcoming days and weeks intended to incorporate everyone who desires to be a part of a community of bloggers who willingly hold one another accountable to the gospel trust and the glory of God.
