January 29, 2026
Dear Friend:
Greetings in Christ from First Baptist Church in North Conway, New Hampshire. I am delighted to extend a cordial invitation to you to attend our 11th annual Striving for the Mastery Training Conference here at our church. The dates are Friday, May 1st, and Saturday, May 2nd, and the theme is “Jesus Christ, Full of Grace and Truth” (John 1:14). We have arranged four general sessions and eighteen different elective sessions of solid, encouraging, challenging, and informative material. We have also planned two meals (Friday supper and Saturday lunch) and a Friday evening Singspiration, which is always a highlight of the conference.
The only thing missing is you! We would love to have you join us to enjoy rich fellowship and high-quality teaching. Once again this year, there is no registration fee: attending the conference will only cost you the gas money to get here and a hotel stay. We do, however, require you to register so that we know how much food to prepare and which classrooms to assign for the elective sessions. Please register by April 20th so we can ensure we are prepared for your time with us. Also, if your child(ren) are coming with you, please make sure they are registered for electives to help with seating and food preparation. Please note that we are unable to provide childcare.
You can register (tell us you’re coming, and which electives you’re choosing) by sending an email to: fbcnorthconway@outlook.com
You can also register by sending a note through U.S. mail to:
First Baptist Church
Attention: Rebekah
P.O. Box 600
North Conway, NH 03860
Our church family is praying for God’s blessing on this conference and for you to come. Don’t hesitate to contact us at the above email or snail mail address if you have questions.
Joyfully in Christ,
Pastor Laurence D. Brown
Pastor Nathan D. Delavan
SFM May 1 & 2, 2026 Elective Descriptions
I Am the Door – one of the well-known “Seven I Ams” of Christ, this intriguing analogy gives us helpful and beautiful insights into the doctrine of salvation and the Christian life.
Dealing with Addictions – Addictions are like a heavy ball and chain – and that chain can bind believers as well as unbelievers. Pastor Nate will use Scripture to give help and hope in assisting individuals to break the chain of addiction.
Women Mentoring Women – Titus chapter 2 gives instruction concerning spiritually mature women helping those younger in the faith. What does this look like, and how does it nurture the spiritual health of the local church?
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life – The Holy Spirit brings about Christlikeness and spiritual maturity. But individual believers can create an environment conducive to spiritual growth in their own lives by engaging in biblically mandated disciplines. Learn what these tools are.
I Am the Good Shepherd – John chapter 10 has this beloved illustration of Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd. Learn more about the depth of meaning and the practical applications of this truth.
How Christians Should Think About Artificial Intelligence – AI is seen by many Christians as dark and even demonic. Others view it as a potentially wonderful tool for serving God. Looking at it through the lens of biblical discernment, how should we view artificial intelligence?
Bible Principles for Handling Your Emotions – As women, sometimes we let our emotions control our thoughts, words, and actions – even though we know we’re not supposed to allow this. Using principles from the Word of God, how can we overcome this tendency?
Teens as Important Church Members – Some church members (including teenagers themselves) may view teen church members as a sort of “junior” status. But is this distinction biblical? And how should teens think of themselves in relation to the body of Christ?
The Definition of Discipleship – This session examines Jesus’ own definition of discipleship as revealed in the Gospel of John. It will identify common mistakes and misinterpretations that have blurred the meaning of discipleship in the church and culture, and then return to Christ’s clear teaching on what it truly means to follow Him.
I Am the Resurrection and the Life – In the Lord Jesus’ conversation with Martha in John chapter 11, we find this thrilling pronouncement, in the face of the death of Lazarus. What are the implications and applications of this truth?
The Danger of Christian Narcissism – This session examines how social media culture can foster narcissistic behaviors that contradict Biblical values. Pastor Tim warns that the pursuit of digital validation often leads to pride and self-exaltation, shifting the focus away from God’s glory and toward personal branding.
Biblical Principles of Preparing for Adulthood – It’s no secret that American culture has created a set of circumstances in which many teens don’t want the responsibilities of adulthood – and many adults don’t want the responsibilities of adulthood. As Christian teens wrestle with the realities of life and living in the 21st century, what Bible truths can help them get ready for life?
From Son of Thunder to Elder John – In the gospels, John is called one of the “sons of thunder” – brash, impetuous, and committed, but later in life, we meet him as the “Elder John” – compassionate, gentle, and still committed. How did this metamorphosis occur?
I Am the True Vine – The vine and branches portion of John chapter 15 contains a wealth of instruction about the Christian life, and what it means to be fruitful for God. Learn about abiding in Christ and growing spiritually in this session with Pastor Hayman.
Developing Passion for Urban Ministry – Many of us are scared of big cities and the people who live there. As Christians, is that the right attitude? And what about the need of city-dwellers for salvation in Jesus Christ? Where are Bible-believing Christians who live in cities supposed to go to church? How can we develop and enhance a compassion and passion for ministering in urban environments?
How to Praise the Lord While Suffering – This session explores suffering through a biblical lens and examines how Christians can respond to hardship with genuine praise rather than despair. It will address God’s purposes in suffering, the example of faithful believers who worshiped Him in affliction, and the promise of His sustaining presence. We will learn practical ways to cultivate and practice contentment in the midst of trials, enabling the believer to honor the Lord even during seasons of pain and uncertainty.
The Purpose of John’s Gospel – Why did John write his Gospel? What was he hoping to accomplish? What does he say that did not already exist in the three other Gospels? In this session, we’ll look at the great over-arching theme of John’s Gospel and see how it impacts our understanding of his work.
How to Age Gracefully – Like it or not, we’re all getting older, and with the stacking up of the years comes health challenges, life lessons, and – sometimes – bitterness and sour attitudes. We would all agree that those characteristics should not be true of believers. Pastor Dan Delavan leads a discussion on how to avoid those pitfalls.
First Baptist Church of North Conway, NH 