Six Evangelism Training Conferences Planned Across the U.S.
Six evangelism training conferences are planned for fall 2007 and winter 2008. These “Sharing Our Faith” conferences are sponsored by the Good News Initiative of the Anglican Communion Network (ACN) in conjunction with local host teams from Anglican churches across America. The events are either free or charge a minimal registration fee.
The conferences planned include:
- Gainesville, FL - August 24–26, 2007 (Registration open.)
- Akron, OH - September 28–30, 2007
- Savannah, GA - October 5–7, 2007 (Registration open.)
- Hamilton, MA - October 25–28, 2007
- San Jose, CA - November 14–16, 2007 (Live videofeed available.)
- Metro DC (Herndon, VA) - Feb. 8–10, 2008 (Live videofeed available.)
Dr. Michael Green, renowned evangelist and author of over 50 books on evangelism and discipleship, is the lead speaker/trainer. The Good News Core Team of speakers also includes:
- The Rt. Rev. Keith Ackerman, Bishop of Quincy and President of Forward-in-Faith North America
- Mrs. Rosemary Green, wife and ministry partner of Dr. Green for over 50 years
- Miss Carrie Boren, Missioner for Evangelism, Diocese of Dallas
- The Rev. Cn. Daryl Fenton, Chief Operating Officer for the ACN
- Mrs. Jenny Noyes, Coordinator for Evangelism for the ACN
Each conference is planned with a team of local clergy and lay volunteers so the conferences can be tailored to meet the specific needs of that region. In Gainesville, the University of Florida is just minutes away from Servants of Christ Anglican Church where the evangelism training conference will be held. So, the team decided to co-host a debate with the Atheist Club on campus to attract college students on Saturday night, August 25, at 7 p.m. in Medical Science Building Auditorium in the Health Science Center. Dr. Michael Green will debate well-known atheist Dr. Robert Price on the topic of “Is Christianity Based on a Lie?” Those who attend the debate will be invited to come to a follow up service and dinner the following night at Servants of Christ Church to hear a talk entitled “A Spirituality that Works” given by Dr. Green.
Two “Sharing Our Faith” conferences were held last spring. The first, in El Paso, Texas, was sponsored by the Southwest Deanery of the Diocese of Rio Grande in May. The conference was attended by over two hundred people. At the deanery’s next meeting, instead of having a regular meeting, the clergy went out into the local neighborhoods two by two knocking on doors and letting people know about the new Christian school opening at St. Francis on the Hill, sharing the Gospel and welcoming them to visit St. Francis parish any time.
The second conference was held at Christ Church, Moline, IL in June. A team of clergy from seven churches in the Diocese of Quincy and the Diocese of Iowa worked together to plan the event that attracted over 100 people. Previously, many of the clergy had neither met one another nor worked together even though their dioceses are only separated by the Mississippi River.
In addition to special outreach events designed to share the basic Christian message with non-churchgoers, Network Evangelism conferences include a day-long training on the basics of evangelism with plenary sessions and workshops. Some conferences have a special emphasis such as church planting or reaching young people. As conference details are finalized, those interested in attending an event can go to the Network’s Evangelism website and link to all the conference registration sites. Also, check the new blog “Jenny’s Noise” for the latest news regarding these upcoming evangelism training conferences.
Posted on 7/25/07