The 2010 Women’s Lifestyle Evangelism Conference was staged at three locations – Taylors, Myrtle Beach and Columbia – over three consecutive days, Jan. 28-30.
Lynette McDuffie was honored for creating an event that has reached more than 80,000 women in 16 years.Under the theme “God’s Plan for Sharing,” more than 4,300 women gathered to be spiritually encouraged and equipped to share the gospel. GPS videos introduced the state convention’s 10-year evangelism emphasis.
Speakers were Kim Hardy, Debbie Turner and Beth Greer. The theme that flowed through each message was the importance of finding personal worth in Christ and confidence in personal evangelism.
First Baptist Church in Columbia hosted the Jan. 30 conference, which had about 2,500 in attendance in spite of inclement weather. Beatrice Stephens, who has attended the conference for 10 years, came with her church group from Brookland Baptist in West Columbia. “This conference always gives me inspiration,” she said.
Mia Tran, of Summerville, so enjoyed hearing Hardy speak last year that she began promoting the event at her church and Bible study group using an audio CD. “This conference is so dynamic,” she said. “I have laughed and cried; it has been life changing.”
Kim Hardy addresses women attending the Lifestyle Evangelism Conference.Hardy is an evangelistic speaker, teacher, and worship leader from Michigan and the author of “Evangelism for Chickens.” She challenged attendees to be free of the shackles of past sins and experiences that prevent them from sharing the gospel. “Evangelism is a lifestyle, not an event,” Hardy said.
Turner, a professional speaker and author, encouraged attendees to find their identities and confidence in Christ even as she shared her life story of personal challenge and tragedy. Turner reminded attendees that, in an age of identity thefts, Christians have a spiritual identity that comes from knowing who we are in Christ, and an inheritance that can never be lost or stolen.
A former “missionary kid” growing up in Brazil, Greer shared her passion for worship and teaching. Through the Bible story of the woman at the well, she spoke about God’s ability to transform lives. “God entered the life of an outcast, and she was never the same again,” Greer said. “Just like the woman at the well, our new identities are created in Christ and we are to tell others about how we have been changed.”
Retiring conference coordinator Lynette McDuffie was recognized for her part in helping to coordinate the annual event. “I am so grateful to God that he has allowed me to be a part of this,” she said.
The Evangelism Group of the South Carolina Baptist Convention coordinated this year’s conferences. – SCBC
Speaker Debbie Turner, center, with LaNelle Chapman and Jennifer Bacon, members of Belridge Baptist Church in Belvedere, following the conference.