Radio evangelist, Dr. Tony Evans, to visit, speak at UFC ConferenceBy Sara WestheadSyndicated radio evangelist Dr Tony Evans will be visiting the Island later this month as the keynote speaker at a conference hosted by United for Change, a fellowship representing 68 different evangelical churches from across Bermuda.The Impact Conference is a one-day event designed for anyone involved in church ministry, from pastors and ministry leaders, to Sunday School teachers, youth workers and lay persons, with the hopes of helping those in attendance better reach the world around them.“As an Island, all facets of our society Government, charities, schools and families must come together to deal with the problems of our Island, including the church,” explained Pastor Gary Simons, senior pastor at Cornerstone Bible Fellowship and chairperson of the United for Change leadership team.“No one can sit by and expect that our Island is going to change by osmosis; we all must do our part. In fact, we are learning that the future of our safety, economy, and spiritual well-being depends on it.”The members of United for Change all understand that what Bermuda is facing today, particularly in terms of gang and gun violence, is unprecedented in our society, and they firmly believe that, as spiritual leaders, they can collaborate to make grassroots changes. Taking into account the suggestions and concerns of Bermuda’s pastors, the group has organised this conference to encourage churches and ministries and to help them be more effective in the communities they are serving.As the keynote speaker for the event, Dr Evans provides a unique perspective. His Kingdom Agenda philosophy of ministry teaches that God has complete rule over every area of life, as demonstrated through the individual, the family, the church and society.The first African-American to graduate with a doctoral degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, Dr Evans now serves as the senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, which he founded in 1976 with just ten people, and as the president of The Urban Alternative, a national ministry that seeks to empower and encourage pastors and their wives, and to bring about spiritual renewal across America through the church.The day-long seminar will include two keynote messages by D. Evans, as well as 12 break-out sessions in four tracks Pastoral Leadership, Strategic Growth, Youth Ministry and Music Ministry featuring local and international speakers.Speakers include Kareem Riley, a music consultant who has been involved in more than six Grammy Award-winning albums with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, who will lead a session on “The Heart of Worship”, and Susan Pettrey, director of BT Kids! at the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, who will share in two sessions, “What Every Sunday School Teacher Should Know” and “Becoming a Dynamic Kids Communicator”.Pastor Todd Crews, pastor of Young Adults at Brooklyn Tabernacle, will also be sharing on “Restoring a Missing Population”. The session will discuss how each church ministry needs to be on the cutting edge, in order to minister to young adults aged 18 to 20.Local presenters include Mark Hall, director of Word of Life Bermuda, with more than 30 years’ experience in youth ministry, who will lead a session on “Essentials to Start and Maintain Effective Youth Ministry”.Jonathan Lambe, associate pastor at Evening Light, will be sharing a session on “Community Connection”, in which he will teach attendees how to reach into the community on a greater level and share ideas as to how churches can touch lives outside of their own four walls.In addition to the main sessions, Dr Evans will also be conducting a session just for local pastors entitled, “Strategic Church Growth”, in which he will share his personal philosophy on church growth.According to Bishop Lloyd Duncan, pastor at Heritage Worship Centre and overseer of the New Testament Church of God in Bermuda, “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, and 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. Costs are $35 per person, $65 with lunch; those who register prior to Monday, April 9 will also receive a free book by Dr. Evans on the day. To register, visit the United For Change website at www.ufcbermuda.org, e-mail info@ufcbermuda.org, or call 734-4673.