The Bible teaches us that in the days of the prophet Micah, Israelite society had become so corrupt that “a man’s enemies are the men of his own household” (Micah 7:6b). Regrettably, there is no question that the same can be said about our current civilization today as mankind becomes more and more desensitized to sin and wickedness. For this reason, it becomes easy to feel like Lot who “who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)” (2nd Peter 2:7-8). Yet, it is curious to read in Holy Writ that Jesus declared that the influence of His Kingdom is as powerful as that of a small lump of leaven (cf. Matthew 13:33, Luke 13:20-21). In other words, the Savior declared that although the Church may be small in comparison to the rest of the world, it is mightier as well. Thus, the elders of Southeast have chosen Brother Michael Bonner II (from the BCS Church of Christ in College Station, TX) to present this year’s topic “The Value of a Little Leaven” with the focus being on the influence that the Church can (and does) have on the society that surrounds it, and why its members (no matter their age) should not be intimidated by society from living a holy and upright life among them. We pray to that end, our merciful God will grant you the opportunity to join us this year to study together this pivotal lesson from Scripture