​The 2018 G3 Conference was held at the Georgia International Convention Center located in Atlanta, Georgia. With around 2,000 people in attendance, it was a rather sizeable event. Various speakers such as Justin Peters, Voddie Bachaum, Steve Lawson, and many others addressed great issues related to the “subject of knowing God biblically and making healthy disciples of Jesus Christ”. Due to a strong recommendation by Chris Arnzen that our ministry be attending and represented, FirstLove made its first appearance as an Exhibitor alongside many of the other ministries that normally attend events such as these. Although we were certainly the brash newcomers intruding within a sphere outside of our normal mode of operation, The Lord seemed to extend to us a tremendous favor. Apparently, since our ministry would be giving away such a substantial amount of literature, the G3 leadership permitted us a discounted rate as a Premium Exhibitor. This also allowed us a perk and an opportunity to fill the role of a Presenter in the actual conference area. Since it was our first time, we chose to take advantage of this six-minute spot with a short two-minute video highlighting the general point and goal of the ministry. Afterward, the remaining four minutes or so was spent with Pastor Joe the Founder and Director providing the spirit and the testimony of the ministry to the audience. 

​    The response was incredible. Even while the various speakers were delivering their sermons, it was normal to have a consistent trickle of visitors come see us and ask questions. During break sessions, however, FirstLove’s Booth was immediately flooded with large numbers of people. Most of the time there was not enough room in the booth area to fit everyone and the lines to get in would inevitably encroach into the surrounding exhibitor booths. As you can imagine, this elicited the stares and attention of the other exhibitors who were obviously wondering what all the commotion was about. Built into the daily G3 schedule were “Bookstore/ Exhibit Hall Breaks”. Along with these times, the booth was also swamped during meal breaks, Q& A Sessions when there was not an official sermon being delivered, and the late evening after the last speaker had finished. This meant that the FirstLove team would be up manning the booth and receiving visitors until at least 10pm Thursday and Friday night

NOTE: Throughout the duration of G3, FirstLove was able to make personal contact and build relations with over 600 individual believers who were interested in getting to know more about the ministry. These were people interested in how they could help, ways they could support, and who wanted to know how they might join in on the work!​

NOTE: During the progression of events, FirstLove was able to establish new relationships with various other ministries. Chris Arnzen of Iron Sharpens Iron Radio has agreed to move over and come onboard with FirstLove Radio (which only just recently launched earlier this month!) Along with this excitement, FirstLove also began conversations with the ministry of CARM (Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry). CARM represents an extremely large internet presence that registers several hundreds of thousands of unique visitors daily. As their name suggests, they capitalize in providing solid apologetic arguments for the biblical doctrine and worldview, and is used by much of the public domain of personal Christian evangelism today. We are now exploring ways in which we may operate and partner together for the benefit of the body locally and abroad. ​

​    Overall, the results of the event were a tremendous surprise. FirstLove is now looking at partnerships and ministry fellowships with Chris Arnzen, Justin Peters, CARM, and potentially others. FirstLove Missions, specifically, now has doors opening up into new mission fields such as Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Albania, and more. We have over 600 new brothers and sisters who want to continue in conversation with us, find out more about us, and potentially labor with us in various capacities. Over 16,000 quality Christian books and pamphlets were distributed free of charge to the body of Christ here in America in a matter of a few days. The ministries of FirstLove are truly blessed and are praising The Lord for His good favor and providence!

​​Thank you for your continued prayers and support,

The meeting began with Pastor Joe Jacowitz giving an initial overview presentation of FirstLove Publications, our philosophies of ministry, what FirstLove is intending to accomplish, the resources by which we operate, and why. The initial overview also presented a brief introduction of the historical work of what was now to become the ministry of FirstLove Missions. After the first overview had completed, the group dismissed for a short break before the main presentation and official launch of the ministry began. The second presentation would be far more extensive and in depth, revealing, with full disclosure, all the internal workings of the ministry, its organizational structure, the different roles of specific key players, our key distinctives, finances, and then ultimately a look to the future. This was to provide, for the first time, a clear vision and invitation to join in with the work. By all metrics, the presentation was very well received and there seemed to be a great deal of excitement about where The Lord was taking us. There were many questions, not only during the presentation, but even during breaks as individuals who engaged with the FLM staff directly shared their thoughts, requested more information on certain points, and often expressed genuine support.

It was during this time then, that the FLM Staff officially and formally recognized our ministry team as we inaugurated our first group of pioneer missionaries, each one with their own particular role and unique gifting. Some were gifted preachers, some were strong evangelists, while others exceled in other particular fields of ministry. Each one, however, a dear and precious brother in The Lord who desired to follow Christ anywhere in the world He would take them. After each one was presented their certificates of ministry, they gathered together for a group photo (pictured below).

Dr. Paul Nelson would bring the final presentation of the development meeting as he gave a FirstLove ministry update from Nepal. So many different pictures of the Nepali people, their culture, and the unique ministry work that is being done there under Dr. Samuel Rai were presented to the audience. Dr. Samuel Rai is the General Secretary of the United Baptist Churches of Nepal, overseeing approximately 90 Christian Churches and acts as the Branch Lead for FirstLove Publications in the country. The personnel present at the meeting were, again, greatly edified and encouraged by the work the Lord has opened to us and the Christian brothers we are blessed to be able to serve. After that, a final round of Q&A was conducted for the FirstLove staff, there was a time of prayer, and then the meeting was adjourned.

It is important to mention that a number of the key persons in attendance at the Friday launch and development meeting were lodging at Brother Ben Walden’s property at Paul’s Mill Farm. On Bro. Ben’s farm estate, there were several different buildings that were used to hospitably accommodate 19 speakers, missionaries, and attendees. One of the buildings that were used for lodging is known as the “Pig Barn”. Despite its name, the accommodations were actually quite astounding, and most importantly, it is the building that has now been made use of as the new FirstLove Publications Warehouse and Order Processing Facility. Bro. Ben now oversees the operations there; and, with the help of volunteers from Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, he ships the free literature out to the saints around the world. The location is ideal for the pickup and drop-off of large shipments, as well as providing office spaces and work areas to fulfill and keep track of orders.

Saturday
Saturday began the actual FirstLove Missions Conference that the rest of the churches had been invited to attend. The name and theme of the conference was “Send The Light: The Glorious Work of Missions”. The messages preached were especially centered upon allowing Christians to discover how they could actively participate in missions work, how to support those that are called to go, and what it means to be directly involved in the work. The speakers gave their messages in the following order:

The pastors and teachers spoke and gave exhortations over the next two days which were all equally received with gratefulness. After it was all said and done, many of the speakers came together and offered there thankfulness for each other’s messages. It was very precious to see that kind of fellowship and kindredness of spirit. After the conference speakers were finished, the host church provided both the speakers and attendees with a tremendous meal in the kitchen areas below. With so many staying behind to fellowship, the eating area were overfilled and many people were eating outside on the tables provided for overflow, the benches, and even sitting out on the ground. It was a precious time of enjoying the Lord and reflecting upon the ministry and the graciousness of the exalted Christ. Many new contacts were made, relationships with brethren were built, great food was eaten, and there was, indeed, much excitement.

Eventually, the entire team headed back to the farm, and after a requested tour of the premise, they were ushered over to the Pig Barn/Warehouse. Even though a few of the missionaries had been sleeping there, most of the others had not yet seen the warehouse. Many of them wanted the opportunity to do so before leaving Kentucky. It was evening, however, by the time they arrived. As soon as the group walks in, they find Robert Jones, Pastor Joe Jacowitz, and Bro. Mike Snyder sitting up together, smiling enthusiastically, and energetically enjoying one another's fellowship as they discussed the things of The Lord! Eventually everyone piled in and after a lot of hugging and praying they took a group photo together before parting ways.