While members of the Lord’s church are blessed to be part of an incredible brotherhood and there are countless great works going on to the praise and glory of God and to the salvation and building up of souls, there is something special about PTP. The whole purpose of PTP is to “refresh, renew and recharge” in our Lord every person who attends – from “senior saint” to child. There really is something for everyone! And perhaps this helps explain the phenomenal growth of PTP and the excitement that surrounds it each year.
On August 17-23 at the Sevierville Convention Center in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, thousands of Christians will converge to praise and honor God, to enjoy fellowship with one another, to learn and grow and to fill our spiritual tanks. Just last year, 4689 people attended. Brethren were present from 40 states and 8 foreign countries. 450 sessions were recorded, but at least 100 more sessions occurred (late night youth activities, singings, counseling sessions, etc).
An amazingly diverse group of people come to PTP – people who have been made “family” in Christ. And this coming together as God’s family from all over the nation and a number of foreign countries beautifully displays something of the rich cultural diversity and spiritual oneness which should characterize the body of Christ as a whole (cf. Eph. 4:3-6; Rev. 7:9-10). As an example, approximately 500 people came to PTP last year between the ages of 12-21! PTP may have initially begun to encourage preachers and church leaders (and this objective remains) but it has become so much more. Statistics like these only begin to tell the story.
Like the best pie you ever ate or the best ice cream you ever tasted, it’s difficult to put into words ways to adequately describe PTP – one simply must experience it. Come and experience it for yourself!
Mike Vestal
