Last night I preached at the Pastors’ Conference of the Mississippi Baptist Convention.I arrived in Jackson and was greeted by my dear friend for almost 20 years, Buster Pray. We visited for a while in the afternoon and the evening. I was reminded of the blessing of Buster in my life for so many years. He and Martha ministered beside us for 18 years of ministry. He loves his new fellowship at Crossgates Church in Brandon, Mississippi, a suburb of Jackson.

I was also reminded last night of my desire to help, encourage, and minister to pastors. This neglected group of leaders need continual encouragement in the days in which we live. So many of these men and their wives are under continual spiritual attack. Pastoring a church in America today has changed so much even within the last five years. We need to pray for the pastors in the churches of America and across the world.

I was also reminded of the state of the denomination in which we are affiliated. Years ago, church leaders would flock to the various annual state pastors’ conferences. Today, they are attended, but not with the same numbers of people as years ago. Equipping, training, and inspiration for church leaders can be received in many places today. Following the conclusion of the meeting last night, the great, warm people of Mississippi were so very kind to us with their words of appreciation and testimony of how God spoke to their lives. The hunger is there among some. Praise the Lord for it.

I was also reminded of the transitional situation that exists not only in churches, but also denominationally. Change continues with both. Strategies to adjust to these transitional days is what both churches and denominations must have. Yet it all starts with leaders. The leaders of our churches.

Pray for the leaders of our churches across our nation today.