What a Joy…

Ron Dunn, former pastor and minister-at-large of MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, fulfilled a dream in 1975. He had the desire to do something concrete yet practical for pastors in pioneer areas. He knew that most of these faithful men have few opportunities to attend Bible conferences or other meetings where they can study the Word at the feet of Bible scholars.

It is a well known fact that pastors in our pioneer areas many times have to secure secular jobs along with their responsibility as pastor, and still they must subsist on less than average incomes. Many of their wives must also work to help the family. It is a treat for these men and their wives to attend conventions or other large meetings of the "brethren" because the lack of available finances in their churches makes it almost impossible.

The MBBC Ron Dunn Encourager Conference was born out of this need. The conference fills a double need since pastors must agree to bring their wives. Wives of pioneer pastors have many needs that can be met, at least in part, by the women of our church during the Bible Conference week.

Year after year we have been privileged to see the change in couples who have arrived with a countenance which is "beaten down,” and they are tired, bewildered, and searching only to see these same couples leave glowing in the Lord with hearts full of encouragement and gratitude. It is often difficult to determine who receives the greatest blessing from the conference—our guest pastors and wives or MBBC members.

Ron Dunn went home to be with the Lord on June 29, 2001. We renamed the conference in his honor. His legacy continues . . .