HOPKINSVILLE, KY CONFERENCE
by Tandy Coatney

The Hopkinsville Fellowship would like to thank everyone who came to our Spring conference for making it so perfect. Each person there contributed something special to make the weekend what it was (yes, even you, Jack). I am always touched by the efforts people made to come-some at the expense of plane tickets, others with long drives, and all laying aside busy schedules at home. I really appreciate it. Thanks for coming!

For those of you who didn’t make it, where’s what you missed. Friday night, Tom and Page Prewitt shared the evening, speaking on powerlessness, adapted from the first of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous: "We admitted we were powerless over life, that our lives had become unmanageable." It was interesting that two such opposite testimonies could both be rooted in powerlessness. Actually, none of us can experience the abundant life without first coming to powerlessness. As long as we see ourselves as being able to do something for God, we cannot enter into the experience of our union with God where He alone is the doer.

Tom, who from outward appearance looked so successful, had to be practically hit over the head before he would admit he was powerless. His real breakthrough came when he finally got honest about himself and accepted the view that others had of him, that he was hopelessly out of control and was a non-person being operated by Satan.

Page, on the other hand, knew from childhood that she couldn’t make life work. She knew that God was her only hope for sanity. She also tied her talk in with the fact that we will alls someday have to give an account for our lives to God. For some, that was sobering as they thought, "What have I been living for? What is my life counting for?" For others, it was an exciting through: "God, you know I have burned for you in all the light you gave me."

Saturday, the youth, led by Scott Prewitt, Dacia Trethewey and Kari Mace spent the day at the Luttrull’s new log home out in the country. Amid the teaching and sharing, they also had time to hump on the trampoline, watch the Lutrull’s Amish neighbors plow with draft horses and sit around a campfire by the lake that night.  

We adults also met in an old rustic log cabin, just perfect for our needs. Different ones shared the basics from the teacher trainer outline of why we believe there is no independent self and that either Christ or Satan is operating our lives.

I taught on the origin of evil and the creation and fall of man. It was an important experience for me, in the face of feelings of inadequacy to affirm that Christ as me was more than adequate to "give a defense for the hope that is within me." The relaxed atmosphere and informal give and take during my talk helped me to clarify how I want to express that hope accurately and effectively. Saturday afternoon we split into two groups, for a men’s meeting and a women’s meeting. I can’t speak for the men (though I do know they had supper at Ronnie’s favorite barbecue place), but I can say the women had a great time.

We retied to the soft comforts of Mimi’s living room and decided to cook in instead of trying to find a restaurant where we could all site together. Our group efforts produced one of the most delicious, easy and fun meals I’ve had in a long time. (To find our fabulous menu and recipes, just give me a call and I’ll fill you in on everything you missed).

Gloria Graham did Color One analysis all afternoon, free. I don’t think the ladies in our area realized they were getting a $75 service! Now we can look as good on the out side as we do on the inside.

Saturday night and Sunday morning were reserved for testimonies. As one man spoke, it became obvious that Satan was robbing him of living as Christ. A sort of therapy session developed as others began sharing with him how he looked to them. It is always painful to have our denial broken, but it is even more painful to be allowed to continue in it unconfronted. The honesty and intimacy of that session confirmed to me again that we do have answer for the hurting people of this world.

As our weekends always end, there were long good-byes in the driveway as everyone headed back home. (Actually, all the Prewitts were headed to Oxford, Mississippi to watch their daughter Ginny get hooded at her graduation from law school.) The new faces seemed to hate leaving as much as the old ones did. Maybe next year your new face will be one we’re kissing good-bye in the driveway!