DETROIT, MI – Most Michigan Baptists would agree it is a duty to share our faith through evangelism. However, many members of the state’s congregations feel they are not adequately prepared to do that. The Michigan Shift Conference is one tool being made available to assist them in being trained so they can share their faith.
Traditionally, Sunday school classes were considered the headquarter for developing the knowledge to learn how to witness. Today, many churches experience lower attendance due to the competing priorities of families. The Michigan Shift Conference is designed so the entire family can participate in learning how to share their faith and will provide tools to assist in making disciples. The members of the churches of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan (BSCM) must be trained to answer the questions today’s generations are asking.
Many of the younger generation want to know the real Jesus. However, often time believers are not prepared to provide a correct biblical response. The Shift conference will have workshops available to help answer the questions of today’s generation. Churches are full of individuals who agree we should be prepared to answer today’s questions regarding Jesus and Christianity, and many of these same people will say they are willing, but not ready.
A special prayer concert will take place on March 23, 2019 at the Detroit Association office to lift up the various presenters, those who will be attending, and those who will be ministered to, as a result of the Shift Conference.
There are three primary goals for the Shift Conference this year. First, providing information which will equip pastors, church leaders and church members to share the gospel of Jesus Christ unashamedly. Secondly, offering workshops for all age groups in the church and to address the needs of each group. Third, to have an audience which reflects the diversity within the body of Jesus Christ and to praise our God in one voice. To help achieve these goals we have asked Pastor Fred Luter, the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) first African-American president to open our conference with an inspirational message. The conference will also have other SBC leaders providing workshops. LifeWay Resources will be represented at the conference with Mark Croston, and Michael Pigg. Our SBC Executive Committee will be represented by Vice President Ken Weathersby.
The Shift Conference will be held at People’s Missionary Baptist Church, 3000 McDougall Street Detroit, Michigan 48206. The conference begins on Friday April 12, 2019 and ends on Saturday April 13, 2019 at 3pm. There is no cost for the conference, however you must register. To register for this event go to bscm.org/register. For any additional information call 517-853-9897.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stan Parker is senior pastor of Faith Fellowship Baptist Church in Lansing, MI and a regular contributor to the Baptist Beacon.