Baptist District Association sets 50th event

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — The Eastern Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and Northern West Virginia Baptist District Association will hold its 50th session of the Congress of Christian Education next week at Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, 1210 Himrod Ave. Host pastor is J. Dwayne Heard.

There will be a musical celebration at 5 p.m. today featuring mime groups, praise dancers and choirs from churches in the district.

A communion and consecration service is planned at 7 p.m. Monday. Services are scheduled at 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, when a showcase will feature youth. Classes for adults and children will be conducted from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. and 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Midday services at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday will feature various ministers from the district.

Closing events will be Friday. The Perlene Bennett luncheon will be at noon with keynote speaker Dr. Michael Rutledge, pastor of Mount Ararat Baptist Church, Houston. Luncheon tickets are $25. Pastor C.A. Richmond, Congress president, will speak at 7 p.m.

Last year’s event attracted 300 participants. This year, between 200 and 400 are expected.