Evangelism conference for all Alabama Baptists

For Alabama Baptists, evangelism will no longer be a weekly activity but a lifestyle. At least this is the vision and hoped for result of the 2003 Alabama Baptist State Evangelism Conference in Montgomery.
   
“The evangelism conference provides inspiration, motivation and encouragement to pastors and lay people to understand that evangelism is a lifestyle,” said Sammy Gilbreath, director of evangelism for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM).
   
Due to an overwhelming feedback from the 2002 conference, this year’s event follows the same schedule featuring three tracks and two rallies.
   
“Last year was very successful,” Gilbreath said. “We doubled attendance. The feedback was just incredible. We obviously met a need that had not met in a while,” he said, noting a diversified format offering traditional, contemporary and women’s tracks that will incorporate speakers and music. 
    
“We don’t want to ignore anyone,” Gilbreath said. “We will have small-town pastors, contemporary speakers and African-Americans speaking.”
   
Noting the changing lifestyles of women, Gilbreath said, “There is a great need for women to encourage one another. … The women’s track is designed to equip, motivate and inspire them to share their faith.”
   
An opening rally the evening of Feb. 2 and a closing rally Feb. 3 will unite the tracks that are held during the morning and afternoon on Feb. 3. “The rallies are performed by local churches that will relocate their regular services to Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery,” Gilbreath said. “[The rallies] are specifically geared toward lay people.”
   
The closing rally will feature First Baptist Church, North Mobile, in Saraland leading a patriotic, multimedia service titled “Faith of Our Fathers.”
   
“Monday night’s rally will feature a live interview with senators and congressmen in Washington, D.C.,” Gilbreath said. “The rally will teach how to live out the faith of our fathers by reaching lay people. It will be quite a phenomenal thing to see this put on.”
   
Featured speakers for the rallies are John Brock, pastor of Highland Baptist Church in Florence; Ike Reighard, pastor of North Star Baptist Church in Kennesaw, Ga.; Dennis Mitchell, director of church multiplication team at the North American Mission Board; Bob Pitman, pastor of Kirby Woods Baptist Church in Woodland, Tenn. and Frederick Haynes, pastor of Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas.
   
For a conference schedule for each track, visit the SBOM Web site at www.alsbom.org. For more information on the conference, see page 8 or contact the SBOM evangelism office at 1-800-264-1225 Ext. 320, or e-mail Gilbreath at sgilbreath@alsbom.org.