Country Road, Monroe, LA
If my 2022 recipe were flavored with Pacific Northwest ingredients, the beginning of 2023 would have hints of the south, with lots and lots of cajun spices. The year has begun with Christmas festivities and a lovely Epiphany Wine-Tasting party at Providence Church. The evening was sweet with Italian wines and delicacies treating our palates with kindness. What better way to manifest God’s glory to the nations than to drink what gladdens the heart of God and man?!
My traveling schedule is gentle this early Epiphany tide. On Sunday, I gathered some lovely humans and made my way to Monroe, LA, for the Christendom lectures (formerly Auburn Avenue Pastor’s Conference). Every time I speak of Monroe, I have an ode to joy. Those folks have fed me with more gumbo and gladness than any other outside my current community. They are the apex of hospitality, and I am so grateful to know them.
The reason for my trip to Monroe was an invitation from the productive Zach Parker and the ever-persevering Rev. Steve Wilkins. The conference, which focused on steadfastness amid a culture of moral imbalance, was indeed a phenomenal gathering. The crowd was not massive, but you would feel by their presence that there was a genuine eagerness to be there and to engage.
My talk was a solitary one on ecclesial conservatism, a topic I have reflected on but still needs much refining ( I am told the talks will be available soon). As I stated in the preface of my talk, the talk was a preface to another talk, perhaps a general outline of some other project. It was well received, and I left with a sense of accomplishment at my task. But, as always, the highlight for me in these events is the fellowship. Seeing old friends and making new ones stirs my soul. Still, I would be remiss if I did not mention the caliber of speakers.
Duane Garner, a CREC minister in North Carolina, was a fresh anointing. He cautioned us with biblical finesse on the strength of courage amid opposition. His expositions were dynamic and full of theological vigor. If you are near Cary, NC, you should pay him and his congregation a visit.
My old friend, Mark Horne, is like a curious scholar who though accomplished, is always seeking to learn more. Hearing his talks on training in wisdom was inspiring, like a good gin and tonic. I have known him for over 15 years, and his story is sheer amazement and strength. Count me in the Horne fan club. He writes over at Kuyperian and Solomon Says.
The other speaker, unknown to me at the time, was Dr. Micah Mattix. Micah and I have the opportunity to enjoy various conversations around the table. His keen insight and careful deliberations offered a rare treat into a modern academic that brings life to the common arena. He was an absolute delight, and I am eager to follow him more closely in the years ahead. You may wish to check out his substack. I already have.
Apart from the festivities of coffee and whiskey, the Q&A sessions were a blast of insight. Q&A’s can be tedious exercises in prolonged sorrow, but the two sessions we had were entertaining. Zach Parker moderated the sessions quite well, and the discussions, including Duane Garner’s quick and witty retort to my soccer assessment, were worth the price of the game…play ball!
The entire project was worth it! I have returned to Pensacola content and am ready to re-engage my present activities with intellectual stimulation and a dose of Monroe (Fun-Roe) cheers.
Work in Progress
Don’t forget to imbibe my Perspectivalist podcast. In my introductory monologue of season three, I offered some theses on the relationship of Kuyper’s spherical theology. And for $1, you can get some goodies here.
On a Jet Plane
I have a host of speaking engagements in the Northeast, which begin in three weeks. The first will be a series of lectures on the book of Jonah in Somersworth, NH. I will be exploring some of the themes related to Jonah’s nationalism. You can get the commentary here.
Hearty cheers and a blessed Epiphany!
Rev. Dr. Uriesou T. Brito
Great update.