By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
PINEVILLE (LBM) – In a day when fewer young professionals nationwide are attending worship services as consistently as prior generations, Louisiana Baptist young adults are bucking the trend, Keith Manuel said during the C3: Christ, Church, Culture Apologetics Conference in Louisiana College’s Guinn Auditorium, Sept. 9.
The C3 Conference is sponsored by LC’s Wayne and Martha Jenkins Center for Evangelism and Missions.
“God is doing some great things in and through our Millennials,” he said. “And I believe we can reach this state through the things they love.”
Citing a Barna study, Manuel said 47 percent of Millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996) and 27 percent of Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) agree that “it is wrong to share one’s personal beliefs with someone of a different faith in hopes that they will one day share the same faith.”
However, during his travels around the state, Manuel said he gathered much hope for the faithfulness of Louisiana Baptist students.
Manuel believes the next generation of Christ followers will become passionate about evangelism, participation in mission trips, service to their community and helping the less fortunate.
“I hope you’re learning to pray while you’re here, that your prayer life is enhanced,” Manuel said. “The way that your prayer life is enhanced is to read the Bible.”
Marvin Jones, assistant professor of theology and church history at Louisiana College, is coordinator for the C3 Apologetics Conference.
Marvin Jones, assistant professor of theology and church history and coordinator of the C3 Apologetic Conferences, said Manuel was the perfect choice to lead off the 2019-20 series.
“Dr. Keith Manuel was the obvious choice for the kickoff of the C3 Conference on Millennials and how they impact the church,” Jones said. “His studies which are supported by his personal ministry to Millennials are groundbreaking in that he, unlike most of his contemporaries who study Millennial patterns, sees a bright future for the church and for Millennials relating to the Church. Keith’s presentation was relevant to the topic, including new statistical analysis, behavioral insights, and passion for this generation. I am thankful for Keith’s friendship through the years and grateful for his ministry to Louisiana Baptist and Louisiana College.”
Dates for the next C3 Conference will be announced as details are finalized.
