By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
WEST MONROE, La. (LBM) – At the upcoming state Evangelism Conference, Jan. 23-24 in the facilities of the First Baptist Church, West Monroe, speakers will urge Louisiana Baptists to play an active role in two evangelistic efforts tied to the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in New Orleans.
SBC EVANGELISTIC PREVIEW
Louisiana Baptist Evangelism and Church Growth Team Director Keith Manuel will encourage ECON participants to participate in Crossover, a large-scale evangelistic effort held before the SBC Annual Meeting, and the North American Mission Board SERVE Tour, an effort that seeks to involve participants in service projects as the foundation for evangelism the weekend before the SBC Annual Meeting.
LBC staff will help coordinate enrollment for both initiatives. Manuel hopes to have a team from each association to participate in Crossover and SERVE.
Previously, LBC Executive Director Steve Horn said he was praying for 2,023 people to be saved through these evangelistic efforts.
“We’re attempting to encourage our congregations to participate in the SERVE/Crossover tour,” Manuel said. “We want to enlist and equip Louisiana Baptists for the opportunity at the SBC in New Orleans and our state. We’re asking each association to pray about having a crossover team and a serve team serve from their area during the weekend before the convention.”
MICHAEL W. SMITH
Smith will lead praise and worship by song during two sessions of ECON.
According to his web[1]site, Smith has been releasing new music regularly and performing around the world to sold-out crowds for the last 35 years. During his storied career, he’s written and recorded over 36 No. 1 songs, been honored with three Grammy awards and 45 Dove awards, one American Music Award, was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and has sold more than 15 million albums.
ECON LINEUP
Speakers who will emphasize soul-winning include: Mark Mittelberg, executive director, Lee Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics, Colorado Christian University (he also will host a book signing); Tim Dowdy, NAMB executive director of evangelism and leadership (he also will share about evangelistic opportunities linked to the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting); Jake Roudkovski, professor, evangelism and pastoral leadership, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary; Matt Queen, associate dean of the L.R. Scarborough Chair of Evangelism and professor of evangelism, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; J.J. Washington, NAMB national director of personal evangelism; Jamie Dew, NOBTS president; and John Fream, pastor, Cypress Baptist Church, Benton.
The Jason Lovins Band, contemporary Christian musical artists from Ashland, Kentucky, will join Smith in leading praise and worship by song. Additionally, the conference will feature breakout sessions and a senior adult lunch, both on Jan. 24.
While ECON is free to attend, tickets for the senior adult lunch cost $15 and may be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-senior-adult-luncheon-tickets-457108873947. For more information about ECON, visit LouisianaBaptists.org/ECON.
