WELCOME AND PURPOSE

As director and host of the Second Ministers' Annual Appreciation Conference and representative of the Stop Six Church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas, I, along with Evang. Curtis W. Pittman, welcome you with good wishes and beseeched blessings from the Holy One.

We trust that this conference will not be just another gathering but a venue through which our ministers will be inspired and shown genuine appreciation.

This conference was not conceived nor designed to compete with any institution, organization nor local congregations of the Lord's Body in any way; but, rather to compliment those congregations who hold formal programs of honor for their ministers and to encourage ministers who don't receive such. Additionally, this conference is not intended to be a battle ground for publicly voiced positions that contradict the purpose of the conference's agenda. For too long, a great number of preachers have not been shown formal appreciation for their work in the Lord's Vineyard, and unfortunately, many of whom have been called from the ranks of the living on earth. For those in that category, the intent of the conference is to remember them and their accomplishments. I,  as others, feel compelled to keep them in memory as it would be a tragedy to allow the Bowsers, Holts, Keebles, Hogans, Clays, Winstons, Mitchells, Kennedys, and the Guy N. Woods and others to be forgotten.

Finally, many of our preachers lack the basic necessities of life during and after their ministry. Amenities such as: adequate retirement packages, life insurance, health insurance, dental benefits, respectable salaries, etc. To this end, one of the other purposes of the conference is not to just talk about assisting our fellow preachers but to attempt to have these necessities available at some point. My father the late, great S.T.W. Gibbs, Jr. was looking over my shoulder as I composed this piece of correspondence with the hope and desire that I will follow through on what he preached and taught fervently...that faithful, dedicated preachers should be cared for generously. His dynamic and practical lecture, "The Minister, his Support and Security in Retirement", delivered in the administration building of Southwestern Christian College close to 40 years ago is in a box begging to be opened. So, as one who is yet partaking of fruit that still falls from his tree, I welcome you!

Your Hosts,

Dr. J. D. Gibbs, Sr. & Curtis W. Pittman