Imagine traveling to one of the largest unreached countries in the world to serve as a missionary. Although you are hesitant about the daunting and dangerous task ahead, you step out in faith in answer to God’s call. For twenty-three years you serve in this foreign country, pressing forward while experiencing both joys and challenges. Suddenly, one day you are arrested, falsely accused of being a spy, and thrown into prison!
Such is the true story of Andrew and Norine Brunson, who were missionaries to Turkey. But God intervened on their behalf!

Join us to hear the Brunsons tell their compelling story of how God was with them as they walked through incredible difficulties. Come hear about the powerful lessons He taught them about standing for the faith, even in the midst of false accusations, arrest, imprisonment, and persecution in a foreign land hostile to Christianity.
According to James 1:2, we are to “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” The theme for the 2025 Big Sandy Family Conference reflects that verse: “Count It All Joy.”
As we encounter life’s difficulties and face the challenges in our culture, we can easily become discouraged. However, God’s desire for believers is that we lift our eyes off of ourselves and our circumstances and look to Him as the Brunsons did. Rather than just enduring the trials of life, Christ calls us to count these tests as “all joy”!
How can we be joyful in the midst of hardship? God desires to conform us into the image of Christ. One of the ways He does so is through the temporal suffering we experience in this life on earth. Because we know He is doing an eternal work in our lives, we can confidently express joy, even in our afflictions! According to II Corinthians 4:17, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” As we respond correctly through God’s enablement to the irritations and tests we face in life, we are transformed further into the likeness of Christ’s image! How do we respond correctly? By counting them all joy.
Jesus told His disciples in John 16:33 that in the world they would have tribulation. He followed that information with how they were to respond to those trials: “but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Whether in the midst of persecution, rejection, or trials, we can rejoice because Christ dwells in us, and He has overcome the world.
We invite you to come join us in Texas next April 28–May 2, 2025. Register early for the conference by March 31, and receive a 10% discount on your conference registration and youth programs. For more information and to register, please visit familyconferences.org.
We trust your family will be encouraged and challenged at the 2025 Big Sandy Family Conference. Through engaging messages, captivating children’s programs, and meaningful fellowship, we can look to the Lord and learn about His superabounding joy that is ours, even in the midst of trials!