'iTell' to hit Orlando March 2-4 with Junior Hill, Ed Stetzer & Tebows

ORLANDO (FBC)—"Inspirational speakers, hands-on evangelistic training and conferences designed to appeal to every age group and a variety of interests will highlight the 2008 Florida Baptist Evangelism Conference March 2-4 at First Baptist Church in Orlando.

Pastors and lay leaders are encouraged to attend the three-day event designed to promote evangelistic outreach in Florida Baptist churches. The conference theme, "iTell," based on Acts 20:20, calls for God's people to engage in daily evangelistic activities.

"This annual gathering is to help Florida church leaders gain insight, motivation and inspiration," said David Burton, director of the Florida Baptist Convention's Evangelism Division, which hosts the event. "We will provide resources for evangelism along with the some of the country's finest communicators, preachers, teachers and special evangelistic event leaders."

The conference will kick off with Sunday evening worship at First Orlando when Pastor David Uth and John Sullivan, executive director-treasurer to the Florida Baptist Convention, will preach.

"First Baptist has put together a creative and innovative kick-off rally," said Burton. The staff will be hosting and it will include music, drama and other highlights. "We encourage pastors to leave following Sunday morning services to arrive at conference that evening."

Other speakers during the conference include missiologist Ed Stetzer, director of research for LifeWay Christian Resources, and evangelist Junior Hill, both who will speak on Monday night.

Among the scheduled speakers are Bob and Pam Tebow of Jacksonville, parents of Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, quarterback for the University of Florida. Bob Tebow, who leads the Bob Tebow Evangelistic Ministries, will speak Tuesday night on "evangelism, family values and raising children in an ungodly world," said Burton.

Pam Tebow, a member of First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, will lead the "Be a Woman of Influence" women's conference on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Cost to attend the luncheon is $10 and registration is required (see below).

Pat Williams, senior vice president of the National Basketball Association' Orlando Magic, is also scheduled to address the conference.

On Monday morning, the conference will feature breakout sessions to focus on meeting practical needs in the local church. Session instructors were chosen for the strength, expertise and what they put into practice, said Burton. "They not only teach it, but they live it out daily in their lifestyle."

Conference titles include: "Love Your Neighbor, Tell Your Story," "Making Disciples Who Make Disciples," "Building Bridges to Your Community and "Increasing the Odds: Raising the Evangelistic Receptivity Level in Your Church."

Also during this late morning conference session, two specialized seminars will be offered: "Teaching with Ed Stetzer," and "Reaching the Hip Hop Culture," led by Maxie Miller, Florida Baptists' African-American Ministries Division Director, and Russell St. Bernard, a former music promoter who now serves as a minister at the Fountains Ministries in South Florida. Both of these conferences include lunch and require a $7 fee and pre-registration (see below).

The conference will also offer panel discussions for small and large churches to discuss to how to approach their communities evangelistically. Florida Baptist pastors featured in these "Synergy" group discussions on Monday afternoon, include Clayton Cloer, First Central Florida; Tim Passmore, Woodland in Bradenton; Eric Cummings, New Life in Carol City; Rodney Baker, Hopeful in Lake City; Shelly Chandler, First Bonifay; and Dwayne Mercer, First Oveido.

"We are not looking to preach evangelism only from the pulpit at this event," said Burton, "We want to actually do it. There is an urgency for us to get serious about soul winning. Our people are hungry to share Christ and they just want us to show them how."

New to the conference this year is the Tuesday afternoon session, which will demonstrate six unique "special evangelistic event presentations," said Burton. "Pastors can learn from theses ministries and take ideas to reach their communities."

Presentations, which will be held on the church's campus grounds, are:

• F.A.I.T.H. Riders, a motorcycle ministry aimed at reaching people who may not normally be a part of an organized church or Bible study;

• CrossHeir Outfitters, which focuses on Christ-centered outdoors experiences;

• Team Impact, which shares the Gospel message through feats of strength and went into 52 schools in the Orlando area in one week;

• Wild Horse Ministries, led by Horse Whisperer Paul Daily, who shares the plan of salvation while demonstrating the taming of a horse;

• Monsters on a Mission, an outreach effort utilizing monster trucks; and

• Florida Baptist Disaster Relief and Recovery, a ministry that reaches people in times of crisis.

The Tuesday evening worship will again feature Sullivan, Uth, Bob Tebow and music by Redemption Plan.

"It is going to be exciting as we look together at how to reach and win Florida and as we share the greatest news in the world with every spiritually lost person in the state," said Burton.

In conjunction with the iTell meeting, targeted conferences will be provided for seniors and youth at the church:

• "Night Thing," an event for Greater Orlando youth, will be held Monday, March 3, and features Christian illusionist Brock Gill. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and the free event begins at 7 p.m.

• The senior adult conference and luncheon, held on Tuesday, March 4, will feature keynote speaker Dave McClamma, pastor of adult ministries, First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland. Reservations are required for the luncheon, which costs $10 per person

To make reservations for the Stetzer seminar and lunch, the senior adult conference or women's conference, call the Evangelism Division, 800-226-8584, ext. 3090 or email itell365@flbaptist.org. or go on-line to: www.iTell365.com.

To register for the Hip Hop conference, contact the African-American Ministries Division at 800-226-8584, ext. 3033. Registration and a free book will be given to the first 50 persons who register.

For more specific and up-to-date information on the conference, go to www.iTell365.com.