Can you believe that the 27th edition of the Southside Lectures is just two months away? It seems like such a short time ago that Paul Earnhart closed last year’s program with a stirring and memorable sermon. But here we are again, ready to make the final push to what is sure to be another wonderful week.

Remember, the dates for this year’s lectureship are June 19-22. Our people are so diligent, year after year, to plan their vacations and other trips around the lectures. Some even take the whole week off so they can attend the morning sessions. Just be sure to mark the dates on your calendar so you can be ready when they get here.

The theme is “The Bible for Every Age: Stories That Never Grow Old.” If we’re not careful, we can leave part of the Bible back in the children’s classrooms. Stories like David and Goliath, Noah and the Flood, and the Good Samaritan are meant more than just for bedtime books and flannel boards. “ALL Scripture is inspired by God and profitable” (2 Tim. 3:16 LBX), not just some of it. This year’s lecture program will challenge us to recall these ancient truths that are intended to shape the lives of young and old alike.

Rickie Jenkins is coming back to help us do just that. Brother Jenkins spoke on the lectures in 1997, the last one held in the old building. His preaching was well received back then and we look forward to hearing him again.

Lawrence Kelley is no stranger to most of us at Southside. He worked in the preacher-training program here in 1990-1992. He has since made us proud with the local work he has done in Port Arthur, Texas and Bowling Green, Kentucky. We are pleased to have Lawrence home for the Lectures.

John Kilgore has had considerable influence among generations of young people. And his passionate preaching has made him a favorite among men of all ages. You will enjoy listening to him tell these stories that never grow old.

Roger Shouse preaches for the Hickman Mills church in Kansas City, Missouri. He is a fine Bible student with a very unique and appealing style. We feel fortunate that he has agreed to be a part of this special series.

And what would the Southside Lectures be with R.J. Stevens? For the twenty-seventh year in a row, he will direct the congregational singing for us. He not only helps us to sing right, he helps us to sing for the right reason.

What can you do over the next two months? You can pray for the Lectures. Now that you know all of the speakers’ names, say them to God in prayer. You can plan to attend as many lectures as you can. They are the Southside Lectures, after all. And you can invite people to hear these timeless and timely sermons. The Bible is for every one and every age.

Every year, the lectures far exceed our expectations. Somehow, they always get better and leave us better people for being a part of them. This year should be no different. What will the 27th Southside Lectures bring? It’s up to you. Again.