Times per day:
Friday September 29th 2017. Begins 5:45 PM. Ends 9:30 PM.
Saturday September 30th 2017, Main Session Begins: 8:15 AM, Ends12:15 PM [CST] Optional Breakout Sessions: Begins: 1:00 Pm, Ends 4 PM.
The conference incorporates 6 main sessions with internationally-known speakers, 3 optional breakout sessions for additional study each with multiple topics to choose from, Q and A time, music, tables with information booths, apologetics study materials, and giveaways.
1 Peter 3:15 "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."
Main Session Presentations
Brett Kunkle: “Why I Am a Christian”
Why should anyone be a Christian? Some answers recently provided on the Ole Miss campus include, “Because I was raised that way,” “It works for me,” and “All my friends are doing it.” Using a wealth of evidence, Brett brings us back to the real reason to embrace Christianity: because it is true.
Dr. Richard Howe: “The Problem of Evil”
Evil events and hardships occur every day. How does this mesh with the existence of a good, loving, and just God? Dr. Howe addresses this emotionally-charged question, which is often the primary obstacle to individuals coming to faith in Christ.
Tim Barnett: “The Heaven’s Declare”
Using his background in science and a familiar phrase from Psalm 19:1, Tim crafts an engaging power point presentation that spans the heavens. Design elements are present in the very fabric of our universe, and Tim demonstrates how those elements point us toward God.
Brett Kunkle: “Why Should I Trust the Bible?”
There is external evidence that supports the Bible, a book rooted in history. Brett explains the evidence in this compelling session.
Tim Barnett: “Are Science and Faith Compatible?”
The word on the street is that science has defeated faith and that faith is a science stopper. Tim explains that the real facts just don’t add up to such conclusions.
Dr. Richard Howe: “Think Like You Mean It”
Logic is a powerful tool. Dr. Howe teaches us how to use it for Christ by listening and thinking carefully about statements made in our culture.
Optional Break-Out Sessions (Offered 1:00-4:00 Saturday afternoon)
Brett Kunkle: “Dead or Alive: The Cold Hard Facts of Jesus’ Resurrection”
Discover the important ways we can KNOW that the resurrection really happened.
Brett Kunkle: “Three in One: Making Sense of the Trinity”
A number of self-identified Christians do not hold a biblical view of the Trinity, but Brett gets back to the basics and explains this foundational truth.
Brett Kunkle: “Only One Way: Why Jesus is Necessary”
Brett addresses and counters the assertion that there are many roads to Heaven.
Dr. Richard Howe: “Religion of the Force”
Dr. Howe examines the religious elements of Star Wars and its real world counterparts.
Dr. Richard Howe: “Faith, Reason or Both: Presuppositional versus Classical Apologetics”
Dr. Howe examines different approaches to the discipline of Christian apologetics.
Tim Barnett: “Creatures That Defy Evolution”
Tim uses a visual presentation to reveal biological features that point to intelligent design rather than to evolution.
Tim Barnett: “Why Are They Leaving and What Can You Do to Stop Them?”
Tim reveals some effective tactics for keeping young people from leaving the Church.
Amy Hall: “What Will Happen to Me When They Know I Am a Christian?”
Amy's talk is more narrowly focused on how to deal with the personal opposition individuals face when they use the apologetics they’re learning in conversation with others. The goal is to help them understand and face (with joy!) the personal opposition they'll encounter when they talk to people about Jesus so that they’ll be able to keep going and not give up.
Khari McElrath: “Who Do You Say I am? A Survey on the Viewpoints of Jesus in Other Religions”
Understanding what other religions say about Jesus can prepare us to talk to others about the reality of Christ and why He is a necessary part of salvation.
Khari McElrath: “Examining Hinduism”
Khari explains this global religion and offers advice on how to interact and effectively share the Gospel with its adherents.
Sam Sears: “Reading the Bible With an Apologetics Eye”
In a session designed primarily for teachers and parents, Sam helps attendees incorporate key apologetics principles into their teaching and training of young people.
Sam Sears: “How to Read the Bible: The Basics to Understanding”
A path is laid out to understand difficult passages in the Bible and avoid common pitfalls.
Speakers
Brett Kunkle is the founder and president of MAVEN, a movement of students who know truth, pursue goodness and create beauty. He has more than 25 years of experience working with junior high, high school, and college students. Brett has developed a groundbreaking approach to mission trips, creating a one-of-a-kind experience that immerses participants in real-life engagement in apologetics, theology, worldview and evangelism in Berkeley, California, and Salt Lake City, Utah. Brett was an associate editor for the Apologetics Study Bible for Students and co-authored A Practical Guide to Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today’s World. He received his Masters in philosophy of religion and ethics from Talbot School of Theology. Brett lives with his wife and kids in Southern California.
Richard G. Howe, Ph. D. is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Apologetics at Southern Evangelical Seminary, where he still teaches part-time, and is also the president of the International Society of Christian Apologetics. Dr. Howe is a writer and a frequent public speaker at conferences, churches, and university campuses in the United States, Canada, Europe and Africa on issues relating to the defense of the Christian faith. He has a bachelor of arts in Bible, a master of arts in philosophy (from Ole Miss), and a PhD in philosophy. He blogs and can be reached via his own website: richardghowe.com
Tim Barnett founded his own apologetics ministry in Canada and is currently a staff member with Stand to Reason. He has worked as a professional teacher and provides a perfect blend of expertise and humor in each talk. Using easy-to-follow and visually engaging presentations, he trains Christians to think clearly about what they believe and why they believe it. Tim’s degrees include a bachelor of science in physics, a bachelor of education, and a master of arts in philosophy.
Amy Hall works as an apologist and blogger for Stand To Reason, where she writes about culture, ethics, philosophy, and theology in light of the truth of the Christian worldview. She has a bachelor of arts in mass communication and journalism and a master of arts in Christian apologetics. In participating at speaking events, Amy blends her training in communications and in apologetics to equip believers to respond effectively when their faith is challenged.
Sam Sears is a former asstistant and youth pastor and currently serves as the director of the Ole Miss chapter of Ratio Christi (latin for the “reason of Christ”), a ministry that seeks to equip students to defend truth and Christianity at the university. Sam fell in love with incorporating apologetics materials into his Bible teachings when he saw how effective it was in ebbing the flow of students out of the Christian faith. He has a background of practical experience and formal training, including a master of arts in apologetics from Luther Rice Seminary.
Khari McElrath was born and raised in the mountains of western North Carolina. Though saved at the age of 11, Khari quickly wandered from the faith. However, at the age of 26, she rededicated her life to Christ and has disciplined herself in apologetics issues, obtaining a master of arts in apologetics from Luther Rice. Khari has a love for international travel and studying other cultures, and her experiences and training provide her meaningful insight into other religions and how Christians can effectively respond to them.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Friday:
5:00 Registration Opens/ check-in/ table area open
5:45 Worship
6:00: Welcome, Mission statement of Conference
6:10: meet the speaker / give away
6:15: Session 1 Brett Kunkle “Why I am a Christian”
7:10 meet the speaker / give away
7:15 Session 2: Dr. Howe The Problem of Evil
8:10 Break w/ video spotlights for ministry connections. Announcement regarding additional info available in the table area.
8:25 Meet the Speaker/ Giveaway
8:30: Session 3: Tim Barnett the heavens Declare
9:25 close with worship
9:35 table area open.
10:00 event closes for the night.
Saturday
7:30 doors open/ table area open.
8:15 Worship
8:30 Welcome/Announcements/ Give away
8:35 Session 4 Brett Kunkle: Why Should I trust the bible?
9:30 Give away, more information about breakouts/short video break
9:35 session 5 Tim Barnett: Are Science and Faith Compatible?
10:30 Break
10:40 video /giveaway
10:45: Session 6: Think Like you mean it.
11:40 All Speaker Q and A
12:15 Closing worship song, invitation to come back/ prayer
1:00 (Tables close)
Breakout 1
Magnolia Room: Brett Kunkle: Dead or Alive the Cold Hard Facts of Jesus’ Resurrection
Large Classroom Area: Amy Hall : What will happen when they find out I am a Christian?
Auditorium Sam Sears : (for teachers and parents) Reading the Bible with an Apologetics Eye. (incorporating Apologetics into standard bible studies and sermons) Sam Sears
Small Class Room: Khari: Whom do you say that I am? Lots of religions say something about Jesus.
2:00 Breakout 2
Magnolia Room Brett Kunkle: Three in One: Making sense of the Trinity
Auditorium Tim Barnett: Creatures that Defy Evolution
Oxford Hall Howe: Faith, Reason or Both: Presuppositional vs. Classical Apologetics
Small classroom Sam Sears: How to read the Bible: the basics to understanding.
Large Classroom: Amy Hall
3:00
Breakout 3: Large Classrom Tim Barnett: (to church leaders and parents) Why are they leaving and what can you do to stop them.
Small Classroom Khari McElrath: Interacting with Hinduism
Oxford Hall: Dr. Howe Religion of the Force
Magnolia Room: Brett Kunkle: Only one way, why Jesus is Necessary
Large Classroom Amy Hall
4:30: Facility closes.
