By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
RUSTON, La. (LBM) – The 2024 Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference will encourage participants to embrace an Acts 1:8 evangelistic mindset, Jan. 22-23, at Temple Baptist Church, Ruston.
From pastors, professors, and Baptist collegiate campus directors in North America to a representative with the International Mission Board, the lineup will seek to spur Louisiana Baptists to share the Gospel in their communities and across the globe.
“We’re excited to be back in Ruston,” Louisiana Baptist Evangelism and Church Growth Director Keith Manuel told the Baptist Message. “We are focused on creating a culture of evangelism in our churches with an emphasis this year on the uttermost parts of the world.”
The sessions will feature George Lee, Baptist Collegiate Ministry director, Grambling University, Ruston; John Avant, director and president, Life Action Ministries, Buchanan, Mich.; James Pritchard, pastor, First Baptist Church, Lafayette; Jeff Ginn, vice-president of mobilization, International Mission Board, Richmond, Va. (also, former pastor of Istrouma Baptist Church, Baton Rouge); Preston Nix, professor of evangelism and evangelistic preaching, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary; Thomas Hammond, executive director, Georgia Baptist Mission Board, Sugar Hill, Ga.; and Dean Register, lead pastor, CrossPoint Community Church, Hattiesburg, Miss.
The praise and worship lineup includes Charles Billingsley, an award-winning contemporary Christian artist, Lynchburg, Va.; and Tim Lovelace, an award-winning contemporary Christian artist and comedian.
The conference also will feature breakout sessions and the senior adult luncheon, both on Jan. 23.
“I hope senior adults across the state will be able to attend the Evangelism Conference this January,” Adult Ministry Strategist Jeff Ingram said. “It’s always a great two days of worship, fellowship and an encouraging reminder of our responsibility to prayerfully share the Gospel with a world desperately in need of the Good News. The senior adult luncheon at ECON is a well-attended opportunity for individuals and groups to have a meal prior to the program and to meet new friends from across the state.”
Manuel asked for prayer as final preparations are made.
“We want to encourage those who attend to grow in all areas of church evangelism: personal evangelism, small groups, worship, age-group ministries, missions, and special evangelistic events,” Manuel said. “When these ministries grow out of personal renewal and prayer, that’s how you create a culture of evangelism that is contagious in a local church.”
ECON is a free event. For more information, visit LouisianaBaptists.org/ECON. Senior adult lunch tickets can be purchased for $15 at eventbrite.com/e/2024-senior-adult-luncheon-tickets- 727708073437? aff=erelexpmlt.
