Conference urges Baptists to witness ‘more than ever’

More than ever before” are the words that speakers and leaders for the Alabama Baptist State Evangelism Conference hope become the focus of state Baptists this year as they evangelize.
    The annual conference, sponsored by the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM), takes place this year Jan. 23–24 at Dauphin Way Baptist Church, Mobile, in Mobile Baptist Association. For the second consecutive year, the conference will focus on churchwide Intentional Evangelism, the state’s outreach push for 2005–2007.
    “If we are going to get serious about reaching Alabama for Christ, then we have to do more than ever before,” said Sammy Gilbreath, director of the office of evangelism for the SBOM. 
    Gilbreath said individual churches will decide what the “more” will be, whether it be more ministries, events or another venue through which to share, with the goal of translating those ventures into baptisms. “It is for certain that we will not be able to reach Alabama if we keep doing exactly what we have always done,” he said.
    Speakers for the conference include Robert White, executive director of the Georgia Baptist Convention; Robert Smith, professor of Christian preaching at Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham; and Darrell Robinson of the North American Mission Board.
    “We’re glad to be in Mobile this year and especially thankful for Dauphin Way Baptist Church’s hospitality,” said Rick Lance, SBOM executive director. “This historic church is on the move for Christ, and their hosting of the evangelism conference is just one more way Dauphin Way continues to demonstrate strong support for missions and evangelism.”
    Along with the speakers and special music, the conference will include a Great Commission Ministries track with breakout sessions. The sessions will take place simultaneously with the preaching.
    The track will cover topics such as the power of friendship evangelism, evidence for the resurrection, exploring “The Da Vinci Code,” intentional church health that leads to Intentional Evangelism, Web ministry, church planting and raceway ministries.
    “It’s certainly true that pastors and other church staff will find this conference enriching, but we want all Alabama Baptists to know they are welcome,” Lance said. “This year’s event will include great preaching on evangelism that will encourage all believers to share their faith in Christ with those they encounter.”
    For more information contact the SBOM at 1-800-264-1225, Ext. 245, or visit www.alsbom.org.