To equip church staff and lay leaders for ministry within the global recession, the South Carolina Baptist Convention is hosting “Recession Obsession” on May 12, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Northside Baptist Church, West Columbia. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The $10 registration fee includes lunch.
“This event will help us understand what people are dealing with in our state and community, and how churches can help ease the pain,” said David Parks, associate executive director of the SCBC’s church vitalization team.
Program guests include:
Lynette Khalfani-Cox, a personal financial expert and media personality, who will help ministry leaders understand the emotional trauma faced by those in debt;
O.S. Hawkins, president and CEO, GuideStone Financial Resources, who will talk with pastors about preaching during economic hard times;
Michael Graham, a real estate attorney, who will explain how the recession occurred, the impact it is having, and what the future looks like;
Leaders from the Taylors First Baptist Church employment support ministry, who will explain how this church ministry assists the unemployed;
Lee Clamp of First Baptist Church, Barnwell, who will speak on outreach ideas within the community; and,
Gary Horton, director, SCBC retirement and insurance services, who will teach on retirement planning.
The first 200 registrants will receive a free copy of Khalfani-Cox’s book, “Zero Debt: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Freedom.” On-line registration is available at www.scbaptist.org.
The event is an Experience Kingdom Life Premier Learning Event. The event is also offered as part of the economic task force work of the state convention staff. In January, the task force began looking at ways to resource, equip, and serve churches as churches, in turn, minister locally through the economic downturn. – SCBC