I get asked often, “What is the State Evangelism Conference?”.My response is that it is a time for encouragement and inspiration — a great time to renew acquaintances and fellowship with peers from all over the state while being reminded that we are all “to do the work of an evangelist.”

Our theme this year is Evangelism Resurgence, and if we’re going to make that happen it will take all of us making a new commitment to “penetrate the lostness” of Alabama.

The speakers and musicians in the conference are committed to leading us in powerful times of worship that will offer each an opportunity to renew the commitment to share the Gospel and train lay people to share their faith.

We will have three speakers from Alabama: Chad Burdette, Macedonia Baptist Church, Ranburne; Joel Carwile, First Baptist Church, Athens; and Blake Newsom, Dauphin Way Baptist Church, Mobile.

All of the musicians will be from Alabama. Rick Stone from Whitesburg Baptist Church will lead the congregation in praise and worship.

We are proud and very excited to have Wes Hampton as our special music guest. Wes lives in Birmingham and has been with the Gaither Vocal Band since 2005. You will be uplifted and inspired by Wes as well as the choirs from First Baptist Pelham and Enon Baptist Church.

It is always exciting to have out-of-state speakers such as Chuck Kelley (Louisiana), James Merritt (Georgia) and Kenny Grant (Georgia), and the latest addition to the lineup, Christian apologist Alex McFarland (North Carolina) filling in for Josh McDowell who will be recuperating from surgery.

I encourage you as a pastor and staff member to plan a church trip in a bus or van with your laypeople to come and be a part of a real Evangelism Resurgence.

Hope to see you there!

State Missionary Sammy Gilbreath, director of the Evangelism Office, may be reached at (334) 613-3230, [email protected].