Apologetics conference aims to equip Christians to share

The Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM), The Alabama Baptist newspaper and Tactical Faith, an organization that provides apologetics resources for Alabama churches, are hosting an apologetics conference Jan. 19 in Montgomery.

The SALT (Strategic Answers to Life’s Thoughts) conference will address issues such as the existence of God, the trustworthiness of the Bible and the value of unborn human life.

The conference will focus on equipping Christians to share their beliefs with non-Christians in a reasonable and compelling way.

Speakers include Gary Habermas, a professor of religion at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., who has been prominently featured in Lee Strobel’s “Case for Christ,” and Greg Koukl, founder of the apologetics organization Stand to Reason.

Sammy Gilbreath, director of the office of evangelism for the SBOM, noted this is a new venture for the SBOM and is excited about the potential the apologetics conference has to offer.

“I think this conference will open the door for us to reach out to our young pastors,” he said. “If the upcoming conference goes well and we determine it really meets a need, then it could become a regular part of Alabama Baptist life.”

The conference is a step toward Tactical Faith’s vision: “to get apologetic training back into the local church,” said Matt Burford, one of the directors of the group. Burford hopes the conference will give Christians confidence in discussing their faith with nonbelievers and will help Christians see the resources for apologetics that are available to them.

The conference is for both adults and youth; the afternoon sessions will feature an optional youth track.

First Baptist Church, Montgomery, is hosting the conference, which begins at 9 a.m. and finishes at 4:45 p.m. Participants can register online, but registration is not necessary for attendance.

First, Montgomery, also will host a roundtable discussion Jan. 20 at 5 p.m., and the Museum of Truth will have a special display set up both days.

For more information about the conference — including a full list of the speakers — or to register, visit www.tacticalfaith.com/salt.