By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
LAFAYETTE, La. (LBM) – During the upcoming state Evangelism Conference, Jan. 26-27, hosted by First Baptist Church, Lafayette, speakers will urge Louisiana Baptists to reach their friends and family for Christ.
“ECON continues to be a valuable time of equipping and encouragement for pastors and church members,” Louisiana Baptist Evangelism and Church Growth
Director Keith Manuel told the Baptist Message. “I hope everyone will make plans now to attend. It will help you begin the new year with a clear focus and a renewed commitment to reaching the lost and strengthening a culture of evangelism in your church.”
SCHEDULES
ECON kicks off at 1:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon with featured messages by Leroy Fountain, church planting catalyst, Louisiana Baptists, and David Burton,
founder, David Burton Ministries, Middleburg, Florida, and worship led by David Logan and Adam Watson from First Baptist Church, Covington.
Breakout sessions are scheduled during the dinner hour with free meals available (please register) during the presentations:
— The Discipleship Collaborative will feature Larry Hyche, global missions associate, Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, who will speak on “The Impact of Intergenerational Discipling Relationships on Gen Z.”
— The Evangeline Baptist Association and FBC Lafayette will offer sessions including “Preparing Your Congregation for Revival” (James Pritchard, pastor,
FBC Lafayette), “Developing a Church-wide Strategy for Follow-up” (Scott English, adults pastor, FBC Lafayette), “Getting Ready for Company” (Chris Poirrier, minister to median adults/connections, FBC Lafayette), and “Connecting with the Community” (Nick Watts, next generation pastor, FBC Lafayette).
These sessions will serve as a “revival preparation micro-conference.”
Session two will begin after dinner with a worship celebration by the FBC Lafayette choir and orchestra followed by a message from Roc Collins, strategic objectives director, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. ECON resumes at 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning with worship led by Logan and Watson and messages
by Reggie Bridges, pastor, Temple Baptist Church, Ruston, and Mark Johnson, president, Louisiana Christian University.
Then two luncheon breakout sessions will be offered (with meals served, please register):
— The “Evangelism Legacy Luncheon” (formerly the “Senior Adult Luncheon”) will focus on “Pursuing the Presence of God” with Kyle Walker, pastor, First Baptist Church, Cartersville, Georgia.
— Mark Johnson will lead a pastor-oriented breakout, “Reclaim the Reach: Pastors Leading Churches to Reclaim the Evangelistic Mission.”
The conference’s final session will begin after lunch with a time of worship, followed by a message from Herb Reavis, pastor, North Jacksonville Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida. A special concert by award-winning Gospel artist Jason Crabb will conclude the conference.
All breakout meal sessions are free, but registration is required at LouisianaBaptists.org/ECON.
