US evangelical leader is keynote speaker at conference

FRIDAY, MAR. 23: United for Change is a fellowship representing a group of 68 evangelical churches in Bermuda that will be hosting their first full-day conference.

The Impact Conference is for all believers across Bermuda including lay persons, pastors, ministry leaders, Sunday School teachers, youth workers, etc. 

Dr Evans is one of America’s most respected leaders in evangelical circles.

The first African-American to graduate with a doctoral degree from Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), he served as an associate professor in the DTS Pastoral Ministries Department, in the areas of evangelism, homiletics and urban studies.

Catalyst

Dr Evans has served as the senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship for more than 34 years, witnessing its growth from 10 people in 1976 to now more than 8,500 congregants with 100 plus ministries.

Dr Evans also serves as president of The Urban Alternative, a national ministry that seeks to bring about spiritual renewal in America through the church.

He has set in motion a Kingdom Agenda philosophy of ministry that teaches God’s comprehensive rule over every area of life, as demonstrated through the individual, family, church and society. 

The conference is the first island-wide full day event that United for Change has planned. 

We are calling for all believers to come and be a part of a life-changing day that will encourage us to ‘get ready’ for a more effective ministry in Bermuda. 

The seminar will have two keynote messages by Dr Evans as well as 12 break-out sessions under four tracks: Pastoral; Strategic growth, Youth ministry, and Music ministry. 

The break-out sessions will be conducted by pastors and leaders from Bermuda and overseas. 

The speakers include Kareem Riley, a music consultant who has been involved in more than six Grammy Award-winning albums with the Brooklyn Tabernacle.

Mr Riley will lead the music track on ‘The Heart of Worship’. 

His sessions will include the importance of praise and the heart of the musicians. 

In addition he will conduct a choir practice for directors and members, to equip them on how to make the choir ministry more effective in the church and community. 

Pastor Mark Hall will bring more than 30 years’ experience of youth ministry in Bermuda.

Pastor Hall will lead a session on ‘Essentials to Start and Maintain Effective Youth Ministry’. 

Susan Pettrey, Brooklyn Tabernacle Kids Director will lead two sessions entitled ‘What Every Sunday School Teacher Should Know’ and ‘Becoming a Dynamic Kids Communicator’. 

She will speak on how to deliver captivating Bible lessons and share the unique philosophy of effective classroom management. 

Brooklyn Tabernacle Church ministers to more than 1,000 children and teenagers every Sunday.

Ms Pettrey will pass on their knowledge of effective ministry.

Pastor Gary Simons will lead a session on ‘Being Part of the Solution to the Gang Dilemma in Bermuda’. 

He will provide an overview of the current gang culture and then share how faith-based ministries can make a definite difference at the grassroots. 

Pastor Todd Crews, pastor of young adults at the Brooklyn Tabernacle will share ‘Restoring a Missing Population’, and how each church ministry must be on the cutting edge to minister to young adults aged 18-29.

Philosophy

Pastor Jonathan Lambe will lead a session on ‘Community Connection’.

Attendees will discover how to reach into the community on a greater level and share ideas on how churches can touch lives outside of their four walls.

Dr Evans will also conduct a session just for pastors entitled ‘Strategic Church Growth’. 

He will share his philosophy on church growth, ending with a question and answer session. He will also conclude the day with a dynamic keynote message. 

Pastor Hall said: “We are excited to offer practical tools in our sessions to equip our churches for greater impact.”

Bishop Lloyd Duncan of Heritage Worship Centre, said: “I am committed to this kingdom assignment. 

“With the unique problems Bermuda is facing, we need a unique move of God to bring us together to equip ourselves for what is ahead. 

“As the leadership of United for Change we are listening to the church and have created a conference to address the needs to be more effective in our communities.”

The United for Change Impact Conference will be held on Saturday, April 14 at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess. The rates are: $65 per person with a Fairmont lunch or $35 per person without lunch. Those who register before the Monday, April 9 deadline will receive a free book by Dr Tony Evans on the day of the conference. Register by emailing [email protected] or online at www.ufcbermuda.org. Or call 295-4224.