Sunday, May 2 at 9:30 & 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Monday & Tuesday, May 3-4 at 6:30 p.m.
What happens to Christians when they make bad choices?
What happens to families after divorce?
What happens financially to families that go through separation?
Can Christians return after serious moral failures?
Our guest speaker, Dr. Rhonda Kelley, addressed these questions and their answers during our 3-day conference May 2 - 4. Dr. Kelley is an author, speaker, teacher, and television/radio host. She is married to Chuck Kelley, President of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and she is the daughter of Bob Harrington, known for many years as “the Chaplain of Bourbon Street.” As a young child, Rhonda Kelley grew up in a loving, Christian home, traveling extensively and leading a fairy tale existence until her father turned his back on God, her mother, and his family. In 1976, her father left everything he had worked to achieve for prodigal living.
People respond in various ways when someone disappoints them. Bob Harrington’s rebellion against God strengthened Dr. Kelley’s faith and her marriage. Through deep hurt, her mother depended on God. Initially her sister turned to the world, but she soon became disillusioned and returned to the Lord.
During the 19 years that her father was away from the Lord, it was not always easy to forgive. It was not easy to love. In the same way God forgives unconditionally, He expects us to forgive. In the same way God loves unselfishly, He expects us to love. Dr. Kelley forgave her dad, not because he deserved it, but because God commanded it. She offered unconditional love and forgiveness even though she could never love what he did. Later, she learned her forgiveness and love influenced her dad back to God. God's faithfulness gives us the hope and strength to refuse to give up.
If you were unable to attend the Spring Conference, and would like to hear Dr. Kelley share her story and knowledge of how we can overcome hurt, pain, or disappointment to be renewed to God's purpose, you may now listen to these messages online. Audio files (mp3) of all but one of her talks are avaiable below:
