By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – The next generation of young professionals will be challenged to embrace Christ-centered relationships during the upcoming Collegiate Evangelism Conference, “Together,” set for Feb. 10-11 at Louisiana Christian University’s Guinn Auditorium in Pineville.
“If you ask a student what they want to talk about, chances are it will be relationships,” Chad McClurg, University of Louisiana-Monroe Baptist Collegiate Ministry director and conference organizer, told the Baptist Message. “Relationships are a highly discussed thing in Scripture, and we want our students to have the correct perspective as they live out their daily lives. We hope to answer those questions they may have about different types of relationships during the weekend.
“Our main sessions will focus on our identity in Christ as the primary relationship, as well as dating and marriage from a godly perspective,” he continued. “The breakout sessions will dive deeper into relationships in other areas of life that a college student faces now and in the future.”
CEC will feature three speakers: Sean Walker, pastor, the Bayou Church, Lafayette; Kathy Nelson, laywoman, Calvary Baptist Church, Ruston; and Todd Strain, pastor, Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, and his wife, Megan. Leading music will be the Jason Lovins Band, a Christian contemporary band from Ashland, Kentucky.
Students also will have a chance to attend breakout sessions that center around the conference theme and learn about missions and ministry opportunities from representatives of the International Mission Board and North American Mission Board. McClurg said an annual highlight of the conference is an opportunity for students to fellowship with other Louisiana BCM members around the state.
“This is the one time each year where all of us can gather as a BCM family,” McClurg said. “The speakers and band are great but a highlight for so many students is reuniting with others they went on mission trips with and went to high school within our state. Being together is part of our culture in Louisiana and we look forward to the fellowship at CEC.”
Registration for CEC begins Feb. 10, 5 p.m., with a 7 p.m. start for the main session. The conference concludes at 5 p.m., Feb. 11.
