Oklahoma Baptists prepare for annual Evangelism Conference
Christians have something to “shout” about.
That’s the premise behind the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma’s 2017 Evangelism Conference set for Jan. 30-31 at First Southern Baptist Church, 6400 S Sooner Road.
Mike Napier, the convention’s personal evangelism specialist, said Frank Turek, a prominent Christian apologist, and Thom Rainer, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s research arm, were chosen, along with other speakers, to give presentations focusing on the conference’s theme “Shout.”
He said the theme is based on Scripture from the Book of Revelations 12:10-12, in which the Apostle John talks about hearing “a loud voice from heaven.” Napier said the verses encourage believers to shout with boldness their hope in Christ.
“So we have to shout as followers of Christ that our Messiah has come, our hope has come. It’s not a hope in the future, it’s a hope today that we get to live out,” he said. “As Christians, we walk in the power of God. We don’t hope to have power — we have power — the power of God living and breathing through us. The kingdom of God is here and it’s now.”
Encouraging evangelism
Napier said Turek, an author and president of www.CrossExamined. org, and Rainer, president and chief executive officer of Lifeway Christian Resources, will be speakers at the evening sessions of the annual gathering.
Free and open to the public, the sessions are expected to draw large crowds, he said. Rainer will speak at the evening session at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30, and Turek is scheduled to speak at 6 p.m. on Jan. 31.
Napier said he and others have been working for more than a year to coordinate the gathering and momentum is building as the event draws near.
“We’re pumped, there’s no doubt about that,” Napier said.
“The Evangelism Conference is really all about equipping, encouraging and inspiring the work of evangelism. That’s why we’re saved. It’s why God sent us His son, not only to give us eternal life in heaven but to use us to repeat this message of salvation. That’s what this conference is all about.”
Napier said both Rainer and Turek are well known as authors and as men of influence and faith.
Before joining Lifeway, Rainer served at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for 12 where he was the founding dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism. His books include “I Will: Nine Traits of the Outwardly Focused Christian” and “Who Moved My Pulpi?: Leading Change in the Church.”
Turek is author or coauthor of several books, including “Stealing from God: Why Atheists Need God to make their Case” and “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist.” As the president of CrossExamined. org, he presents evidence for Christianity at high schools, churches and secular college campuses. Turek hosts a TV program called “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist” on the NRB Network, and he also hosts a radio program called “Cross Examined with Frank Turek.”
Napier said Turek will lead on of the conference breakout sessions entitled “Are Miracles Possible.”
Focus on senior adults
As for the conference’s morning sessions, Napier said senior adults will be the focus on Monday. The session will feature Charles Lowery, president and chief executive officer of Lowery Institute for Excellence Inc.; along with a preacher with Oklahoma ties, the Rev. Tom Elliff.
Elliff served as longtime pastor of First Southern Baptist Church before he took a position as senior vice president for spiritual nurture and church relations for the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board. He served in that position from 2005 to 2009 before becoming the IMB’s president from 2011 to 2014. Elliff also served two terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Napier said the focus on senior adults is designed to encourage this population to share their wisdom and faith principles with younger generations.
“Our senior adults are probably one of the larger age groups in our Southern Baptist churches across the state. We need to make sure they are passionate and not stepping back,” he said.
“The truth is, even our millennials want to hear from senior adults. They want to learn from senior adults so our senior adults are really key.”
Meanwhile, other conference speakers include: the Rev. John Meador, pastor of First Euless, Texas; Chuck Kelley, president of New Orleans Theological Seminary; the Rev. Rodney Keith, senior pastor of Gardenview Baptist in Jacksonville, Florida; and Rockie Naser, director of women’s ministry at First Baptist Broken Arrow.
Kate McCord, will be featured speaker at the women’s session which will run concurrently with the 9 a.m. general conference session on Tuesday.
Also Napier said he is pleased that Charles Billingsley, singer, songwriter and worship leader at Thomas Road Baptist in Lynchburg, Virginia, will be leading worship during the conference.
Napier said Billingsley is noted for his personal style that helps draw individuals into intimate worship with the Lord. He said at one point during the conference, Billingsley will perform several songs with the African American Fellowship of Oklahoma Choir. Also, Billingsley will lead a breakout session called “Evangelism and Sunday Worship: How They Work Together.”
Brian Hobbs, the Oklahoma Baptist convention’s communications director, said although the conference is free, people interested in attending the event are required to register in advance.