NEW ORLEANS – About 200 people gathered June 12 in the Riverside Room of Hampton Inn Convention Center for a Cajun Jubilee hosted by COSBE, the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists.

The Jubilee included both a Cajun buffet – Seafood Gumbo, Jambalaya Cakes, Shrimp and Roast Beef Po-Boys, Pralines, and Iced Coffee – and music presented by SBC Music Evangelists Russell and Kristi Johnson, Joe and Kim Stanley, Ron and Claudia Henderson, and Amy Stockwell, wife of Evangelist David Stockwell.

President Keith Cook and his wife, COSBE Recording Secretary Joan Cook, emceed the event, which gave attendees a chance to meet, fellowship, and worship with SBC evangelists.  The Johnsons, Stanleys, and Amy Stockwell also serve as COSBE officers.

Special music included powerful renditions of songs such as “The Blessing,” “It Took A Lamb,” and more.

A short business meeting for members of COSBE followed the Jubilee, which included the re-election of the existing slate of officers for a second term.

The President and Recording Secretary Cook couple lead On The Go Ministries. Vice President Royce Williams leads Missions Evangelism Ministries. Secretary/Treasurer Stockwell is the vocalist half of David Stockwell Evangelistic Association. Music Directors Russell and Kristi Johnson together serve through RK Praise Ministries. Pastor/Advisor Jerry Drake leads Hope For The Home. 

Plans for Indianapolis 2024 were discussed during the short business session, as well as an introduction and an opportunity to get to know three of the newest members of COSBE: Dewayne Rembert, Derek Kaiser, and David Whitehead. All three evangelists serve bi-vocationally.

“These are exciting days for doing the work of the evangelist,” President Cook notes on the home page of sbcevangelist.org. “While the gospel has not changed, your Southern Baptist evangelists have changed. We are daily reaching out in new and cutting-edge ways to get the message out into an ever-changing culture. We want to help pastors, churches and associations spread the message of God’s love with simplicity, integrity and biblically-sound messages and approaches.”

Some of the ways Southern Baptist evangelists – who make their homes throughout the nation – might be able to assist churches:

• Helping plan and invite a proclamation evangelist for a one-day harvest event, crusade, or festival
• Motivating congregations to share their faith by hosting a Weekend Witnessing Encounter
• Helping find anointed speakers and singers for Spring or Fall revivals, or any time throughout the year
• Assisting with churches being involved with a North American or International missions project
• Consulting with churches to develop local church outreach programs, and
• Motivating congregations and associations at Bible conferences, retreats, or service projects.

“In your quest to do all God has called you to do, we would like you to know that we are here for you,” Cook continued. “Together we can launch out into the deep water for Christ. Together we can help fulfill the Great Commission.”

COSBE also connected with 2023 annual meeting attendees at the Southern Baptist Evangelists’ booth in the Exhibit Hall.  

(EDITOR’S NOTE – Karen L. Willoughby is a national correspondent for Baptist Press. Amy Stockwell contributed to this report.)