The Church

Discipling Artists in their Role in the Local Church
presented by Stephen the Levite (Thursday Sweeting 328)
Discipling Artists in their Role in the Local Church: We'll talk about the specific challenges presented when discipling with rappers, musicians, etc. What role does the church play in their discipleship, and what role should they be expected to play in the church?

Growing in Community
presented by Adam Thomason (Thursday and Friday Sweeting 233)
The gospels are about the appearing and victorious life of Christ. The Epistles teach us how to live out his life in community. The life of a Christian has morphed into a "me, myself and I" type living instead of and Acts 4:32 paradigm, where Christ centered dependence is exalted and not shunned. If you desire to be challenged on what it means to live out Christ exalting community and learn how to start and develop community then this is the work shop for you.

The Church and Her Leadership: The Who, The What, and the Why
by Tedashii (Thursday Sweeting 235)
Over time God has communicated how His Church was to operate. How the Church was meant to be. The Body is many members all with different functions. Let’s take time to learn what we as a body are called to do. From leadership to Church history, walk with me to an understanding of how we should, as the Church, be equipped.

The Church and the Arts presented
by Shai Linne (Friday Sweeting 328)
Why did God give humanity the gift of creativity? What distinguishes the artistic expressions of Christians from those of non-Christians? How do these questions relate to the gospel? Join Lamp Mode Recording artist Shai Linne in his workshop as he speaks about the role of the local church in the life of the Christian artist.

It Takes a Church to Raise a Christian
by Dhati Lewis (Friday Sweeting 343)
Creating a culture of discipleship. This workshop track will challenge you to play your part by allowing God to use you in your giftedness for the purpose of growing others in maturity.

Incarnational Ministry, Biblical Theology, and the Local Church by Eric Mason (Friday Sweeting 219)
This workshop will seek to help the Urbanite to understand, transform, and apply the gospel faithfully in the urban context. The central role of Jesus' incarnation, the need for a clear understanding of scriptures in processing urban ministry, and need for the local church to be the means in which the city is transformed.

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The Gospel

The Study of God presented
by Paul Washer (Thursday St Luke’s)
The workshop will be a survey of the Bible's teaching on the nature and character of God, with an emphasis on the student "knowing" God, as opposed to simply "knowing about" God. The teaching will put the student squarely in the middle of the material, and demand they give searching thought on how they will live before such a God.

The Gospel of Our Salvation presented
by Paul Washer (Friday St. Luke’s)
Of all the endeavors to which a man may give himself, there is none greater than to seek to understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to search out its infinite glory - God in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. It is a glory too deep for our intellect, too wide for our hearts, and beyond the power of any language to describe, and yet within so great a mystery we find our salvation.

A Call for Discernment: A Biblical Critique of the Word of Faith Movement presented
by Justin Peters (Thursday and Friday Sweeting 211)
This seminar is a fair, comprehensive, biblical critique of the modern Word of Faith movement. Word of Faith theology (WoF) dominates Christian satellite and cable television and is making alarming inroads into more theologically conservative, evangical churches. This seminar contains dozens of audio and video clips (primarily the latter) of various WoF leaders such as Benny Hinn, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Jessie Duplantis, Creflo Dollar, etc. incorporated into a PowerPoint format. This format allows people to see and hear for themselves what these individuals are actually teaching. Everything then is, in turn, balanced with Scripture. There is an introductory session entitled "Why Discernment?" Then there are the 3 primary sessions entitled "Dangerous Doctrines," "Mangled Manifestations," and then "The Hurt of Healing."

The Gospel of John
by Ernest Gray (Thursday Sweeting 343)
A summary of the message of the Gospel with particular attention paid to the deity of Christ and the presentation of John’s overtly evangelistic message. We will engage the scriptures landing upon key concepts regarding Christ’s public and private ministry, passion and resurrection. The student will walk away appreciative of the overall message and thrust of this beloved book.

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The Scriptures

The Task of Preaching (Homiletics)
by Miguel Davilla (Thursday Sweeting 234)
Many Christians today have a low view of preaching in the local church and fail to see the importance of it in their Christian life. In this workshop, we will take a look at the purpose and goal of preaching from a biblical perspective.

Theophanies
by Hazakim (Thursday and Friday Sweeting 319)
Long before the writers of the New Testament declared the deity of Jesus of Nazareth, the Holy Spirit inspired writers of the Old Testament to write of physical encounters with the God of Israel. From Jacob’s wrestling match with God to Gideon’s life-changing date with divinity, the Hebrew Bible makes clear that there is an aspect of the infinite and invisible Godhead that is revealed to finite man. So the question is posed: If no man can see God and live, who is the divine manifestation that appeared to the patriarchs of old? You’ll see how the deity of Jesus and His Messiahship are clearly taught from the Hebrew Bible in this workshop.

The Loss of Doctrine in An Age of “Whatever!” (Thursday Sweeting 347)
by Decipha
Defining doctrine and the importance of doctrine. In addition, we will discuss the crisis we are facing in this age of "whatever” and how Christ is esteemed through correct doctrine.

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The Family

Safeguarding Your Marriage From Divorce
by Damon Horton (Thursday and Friday Sweeting 230)
We will define marriage from a biblical standpoint. In addition, topics that will be examined from a biblical and practical view are: Adultery and “open marriages “, budgeting finances, conflict resolution, and the biblical roles in the Christian home. *This class is for those 18 years old and older.

Relationships Matter
by Flame (Thursday St. Luke’s)
Relationships Matter! In this workshop you will learn the elements of biblical courtship & marriage along with biblical manhood and womanhood. We will also address common issues that affect relationships (i.e. fear, anxiety, depression, etc.) This workshop is combined with lecture and facilitated group interaction.

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The Mission

Theology of Missions by Marc Glass (Thursday and Friday Sweeting 218)
This workshop will be an investigation of the Bible's teaching on the task of taking the Gospel to all Nations and all Peoples. It will start with redemptive themes in the Old Testament that reach their culmination in the New Testament, as well as examine the practice of these themes in practical ways and in contemporary issues.

Biblical Worldview
by LeCrae (Friday St. Luke’s)
Unpacking why our worldview is important and how it shapes how we think and act every moment. This workshop track will change how you see the world and yourself.

Poverty and the Local Church
by Mark Rodriguez and Mike Busch (Thursday Sweeting 317)
There is no doubt that the Church is embracing a renewed emphasis upon compassion ministry and issues of poverty. And God commands His people to be engaged. But should the Church engage these issues in the same way the world does? Should God’s people have the same expectations and goals as everyone else or is there a different way that honors God? This workshop explores what God’s Word has to say about the nature and cause of poverty as well as God’s plan for the church to engage in compassion ministry.

Loving Your Neighbor by Manny Mill (Thursday Sweeting 301)
"Just don't tell me that you Love Me, BUT show ME that you Love me with fresh Joy". Ways of loving any neighbor God chooses to send your way. Joy is the trademark of a Christian!! If we believe that God is good enough to elect you, then He must be good enough to elect your neighbor, regardless of his/her color, physical appearance, culture, criminal background, social economic status or education-Luke 10:25-37.

Serving Your Community: Placing Feet to the Gospel Message
by Sean Slaughter (Thursday Sweeting 201)
Our personal relationship is not just found in the prayer closet or the church pew, but in our service to least of those in the community. In Matthew 25:33-46, Christ translates our personal acts of kindness toward the poor and needy as personal acts toward himself. HIs ministry was not just in word but in deed, always making a righteous example of the destitute and the forgotten. This workshop will highlight the mission field in our own communities and neighborhoods. It will examine the problem within our communities, why our communities experience these problems, what is being done to fix the problems and how we can get involved.

How to Walk With God And Take Some Friends Along With You
by Charles Butler (Thursday Sweeting 205)
Walking with God is the highest privilege that a human being can have. The journey begins when we get saved, but how do we proceed from there? And how do we help our brothers and sisters in Christ walk with God? This workshop will look at what God is up to in our lives and how we can move with Him – not just so we can walk with God, but so we can help others walk with Him too.

Biblical Compassion Ministry: Practical Ministry Advice and Principles
Mark Rodriguez and Mike Busch (Friday Sweeting 317)
What does compassion look like? How can Christians prepare for difficult and challenging ministry so that it is effective and God-honoring? What are essential elements of the church’s message to those in need? Learned from decades of ministry equipping churches across the U.S. and around the world, this workshop compiles practical and Biblically-grounded truth which will equip ministries and individuals to launch and sustain a compassion ministry—to be the Church that is a light in even the darkest places.

Effective Post Prison Ministry
by Manny Mill (Friday Sweeting 301)
Effective post-prison ministry must become an integral part of the urban ministry strategy, specially because 80% of the prison population in America come from urban areas with over 800,000 urban young people ages 18-30, who are incarcerated in America and who are yet to embrace The Gospel -therefore our solution strategy must always include the Cross and Christ, which is God's precise, permanent prescription to deal with our number ONE CRISIS in America: " THE BROKEN FAMILY" that leads to crime-Exodus 14; 15:22-27.

Creating True Wealth
by Brian Jenkins (Friday Sweeting 206)
Learn a new approach to teaching entrepreneurship skills to youth that uses a fun, experiential and team based approach! The workshop will provide a hands-on demonstration using the Creating True Wealth curriculum that teaches entrepreneurship through simulation that’s dynamic, interactive and competitive.

Yakuza, karaoke, & Sailor Moon- How God loves Asia's mega-cities by Victor C (Friday Sweeting 204)
Do you love anime & Jackie Chan? Or do you want to rescue human trafficking victims in Asia? In this interactive workshop, you will envision how God can work through culture and the power of prayer to transform Asia's mega-cities for Jesus.

Spreading the Gospel by Marcus Mitchell (Friday 234)
Should Americanized evangelism be quarantined? What's living a life worthy of the gospel? Who are we to spread the Gospel to and why does it even matter since GOD is Sovereign? These are just a few questions that will be discussed during this session and prayerfully answered.

Urban Missionary by Thi’sl (Thursday Sweeting 219)
We must be honest with ourselves when we think of missions or missionaries the first thing we think is someone going to another country. We can pull the statistics on any city, state or even US as a whole and see large numbers of rape, murder and poverty plaguing our cities. So where are the “Urban Missionaries,” why are there so few signing up to go to the inner city? These are the things we will explore as we get informed and prayerful.

True Understanding of Muslims by Mujahid El Masih
(Thursday and Friday Sweeting 349)
This workshop track will define the core beliefs of Islam and the Qur’an. This will include the life of Mohammed and the definition of Jihad.

Apologetics: Facing the Challenges and Objections of Muslims by Sam Shamoun
(Thursday and Friday Sweeting 345)
This workshop track will focus on preparing Christians to meet and refute the objections that Muslims typically raise against the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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The Minister

The Balancing Act
by K-Drama (Thursday and Friday Sweeting 209)
Can balance be obtained in the Christian walk? How does 1 juggle a deep relationship with God, family, ministry, & friendships effectively? Are we doing too much or too little? Join us as we discuss & explore the Bible’s answer to these questions in a fun & practical way.

Christianity: Exhausting or Exhaustive?
by Nathan Carter (Thursday Sweeting 204)
Many once zealous Christians are burning out and/or dropping out. Why? There’s confusion. Jesus said things like, “Take up your cross and follow me,” and “If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.” But then he also said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Which one is it? Radical lifestyle or easy yoke? Paul said, “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race,” and “I beat my body and make it my slave.” But then he writes to the Thessalonians that they should make it their ambition to lead a quiet life. Are these just two truths that we have to hold in constant tension? Or is there a comprehensive framework found in the gospel of grace that pulls everything together and provides a deep, lasting joy and security that frees one up to lay down his life in passionate pursuit of God’s glory and others’ good?

Igniting the Passion for a Radical Revival of Purity
by Bobby Scott (Thursday and Friday Sweeting 229)
In our sex-gone-crazy world, where entertainers take off all their clothes even on public streets, where the top news stories are filled with salacious details of icon after icon embroiled in sex scandal after sex scandal, where oral sex, self-sex, same sex, pre-martial sex, extra-marital sex, and porn sex is the norm, what does a Christian longing for the blessings of a pure life do? Gather together with a bunch of other committed Christians and start a revival of purity. In this workshop, you’ll learn a step by step strategic biblical battle plan that will show you how to (1) avoid the enemy’s attacks, (2) overcome sexual temptation that is seemingly everywhere, (3) get back in the fight if you’ve fallen, and most importantly, (4) enjoy God’s soul satisfying grace that will empower you to live a life of purity. In a word, my prayer is that this seminar will ignite your passion to live a radically pure life for Jesus, who died so that you can.

Christian Hip-hop: All Grown Up? by Phanatik (Friday Sweeting 201)
Even as secular Hip-hop struggles through a battle of the ages between 1st and 2nd generation Hip-hoppers, the Christian in the culture is facing a similar yet unique crisis - transitioning from "youth ministry" to universal ministry. In this workshop, Brady Goodwin discusses what it would mean for Christian Hip-hop to mature in ministry and also the need to re-evaluate the role of success, sex, family and faith in the minister's life.

The Affections of the Heart in Art by Jason Harms (Friday Sweeting 235)
Are our pleasures in art our pleasure in God? Where they are not, I believe we forfeit the full pleasures that God ordains for our enjoyment in art, namely, our enjoyment of God Himself. I am reminded so often throughout the Bible that where my affections are misplaced, my pleasures will be lacking. "You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections" (II Corinthians 6:12 (ESV).

Two Cities by Aaron Youngren (Friday Sweeting 205)
Basic Christianity isn't basic if few understand it and fewer live it. Join Pastor Aaron Youngren to learn why the gospel isn't a Cinderella story, why we all are fish out of water, why getting drunk isn't a sin (and getting drunk on wine is), and how our deepest pains will seem like paper cuts in paradise. In four sessions, we'll be taking a fresh look at the believer's life in two cities: the City of God and the City of Man.