wfn.org | ABCUSA: 'CAN YOU SEE IT?' CONFERENCE SCHEDULED

[RICH.SCHRAMM@ecunet.org]

AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS SERVICE 
Office of Communication  
American Baptist Churches USA 
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320 
Web: www.abc-usa.org
Richard W. Schramm, Director 
 E-mail: richard.schramm@abc-usa.org

NATIONAL MINISTRIES ANNOUNCES NATIONAL 
CONFERENCE: `CAN YOU SEE IT?'
 A national conference sponsored by National 
Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA will feature 
educational workshops, unique worship opportunities and 
speakers of national renown to offer clergy and lay leaders 
tools that will help them bring new life to churches and 
ministries across the country.
 American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains 
will host the event, "Can You See It?," in Colorado 
Springs, Colo., Aug. 11-14, 2002.  The conference, which 
will focus on vision, renewal and growth, is based on 
Isaiah 43:19-"Do not remember the former things, or 
consider the things of old.  I am about to do a new thing: 
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" 
 The wonders of God will come alive in the 
beautiful environment of Colorado Springs, according to 
the Rev. Cheryl Dudley, conference coordinator and 
National Ministries' associate executive director.  "When 
we're open to it, God's capacity for surprising us is truly 
endless," she said.  "I think people will wake up in a new 
way and respond to that wakefulness.  This event will 
allow us to see and experience Jesus in a fresh and 
compelling way that will impact our spirits and our 
ministries."
 Plenary speakers include: the Rev. Dr. Tony 
Campolo, recently retired professor of sociology, Eastern 
University, St. Davids, Pa.; the Rev. Dr. Renita J. Weems, 
associate professor of biblical studies, Vanderbilt University 
Divinity School, Nashville, Tenn.; the Rev. Dr. Aidsand 
Wright-Riggins III, National Ministries' executive director; 
the Rev. Yamina Apolinaris, former executive minister of 
Iglesias Bautistas de Puerto Rico (Baptist Churches of 
Puerto Rico); the Rev. Dr. Kirk Jones, assistant professor 
of Christian social ethics, Andover Newton Theological 
School, Newton Centre, Mass.; the Rev. Dr. Trinette 
McCray, associate minister and vice moderator, Calvary 
Baptist Church, Milwaukee, Wis., and past president of 
American Baptist Churches USA; and the Rev. A. Roy 
Medley, general secretary, American Baptist Churches 
USA.
 More than two dozen workshops--such as 
"Birthing Prayer: Bringing Forth New Life," "Thinking and 
Seeing Into the Future," "Preparing for a Multi-Cultural 
World and Ministry" and "Prophetic Entrepreneurship: 
When the Church Gets Down to Business"--will guide 
participants in seeking God's "new thing" in a changing 
world.   Field trips to prisons, Hispanic ministry programs, 
men's ministry programs, Native American-related 
interests and the U.S. Air Force Academy will be available, 
and a variety of worship opportunities--in styles ranging 
from traditional to Taize and charismatic to gospel--will be 
offered each morning.  Another worship opportunity will 
include the ancient Christian labyrinth, a spiritual tool that 
invites participants to connect with God in "moving 
prayer."
 For more information call 1-800-ABC-3USA/x2420 
or visit www.can-u-see-it.org.

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