What: 3 day Regional Christian Conference & Ministry Expo
For Whom: Regional Body of Christ
By Whom: Sponsored by Culpeper County Ministerial Association
Where: Eastern View High School, Culpeper, County, VA
When: Fri – Sun, September 9th , 10th , and 11th (See below for notional schematic)
Why: Joining God’s initiative for preparedness of the Body of Christ: “Wake up, Be Ready, Walk United In Christ”
Special Speakers:
i. Dr. Tom Blackaby, Vancouver, British Columbia http://www.blackaby.net/

ii. Bishop Harry Jackson, Washington, DC http://www.thehopeconnection.org/index.php/understand-hope/senior-pastor/

iii. Rev. Stephen P. Burke, Temple, Texas www.thelordwillprovide.org

iv. Others

Explanation:

I believe this to be a special time for the people of God in this region. God is once again graciously on the initiative to stir His people back to Himself; To Himself that they would be One in Christ, ready and willing for His purposes NOW and TOMORROW. “Wake up, Be Ready, Walk United”

This is the result of the prayers of many over the past several years. Hearts impassioned for unity and integrity, coining such phases and names as: ‘Pray Culpeper’; ‘One Culpeper’; ‘Culpeper Revival’; corporate prayer activities (e.g., NDP, GDOP, Lenten, Thanksgiving service), Billy Graham Crusade and more – the prayers and heart cries of the churches for God’s will to be done here now.

This is not about a conference – not about another activity. Indeed – God has begun this work we are merely attempting to catch up and get in step. We sense God has been sending forth waves of such initiatives and this is the latest of His wake up call to His people. The times are critical: NOW. Ad this will provide training for the faithful should the Lord permit us to serve Him TOMORROW. The call: Being Prepared for the Kingdom work Today. Change is coming. The season of special grace may well be over.

Issues within the Body of Christ:

· We have forgotten who we were and who we are in Christ

· There is severe decay/we have permitted deep encroachment of the enemy

o Weak in areas of:

§ Unity of the Body of Christ

§ Integrity of the Body of Christ

§ Basic Relationships affecting the health of the Body of Christ: Marriages, Child/parent/other

God seems to have chosen the 2011 10th Anniversary of the Terrorist attacks to rally His people to (a) unity and to (b) connect in preparedness (ministry expo):

o September 9-11 Conference & Ministry Expo (See details below)

§ Unity in Christ – Worship & Prayer & Action

§ Preparedness – Motivational Preaching/Teaching

§ Preparedness – Practical Ministry Networking

§ Preparedness – Practical Ministry Breakout/Teaching

1. WORSHIP & PRAYER – We will worship as one; we will pray as one – intentional leadership teams and special participants are being formed to catalyze corporate worship and Prayer through unified teams (representation across the Body). Folks are being directed to sign up for this at www.walkunitedinchrist.org – a dedicated website for this conference.

2. MOTIVATIONAL PREACHING AND TEACHING – God is selecting and bringing His special speakers to Culpeper. We don’t understand it all as of yet (and not too proud to admit it)J – But as of now, we are so blessed to know the special speakers listed above have committed to come and be used by God. Thanks to much Tom, Harry, and Steve.

3. “Practical Ministry Expo” – Booths/tables of local ministries relevant to the conference theme and our regional body of Christ, sharing information, resulting in synergy and increased awareness and collaboration. Getting the word out over the three day period – For examples, but not limited to the following list. Folks with ideas/a desire to include a practical Christian ministry are invited to register the ministry for the expo at www.walkunitedinchrist.org:

a) In Support of Disaster Relief/Preparedness

i. Christ In Action

ii. Crisis Relief International

iii. Culpeper Emergency Services Association

iv. Culpeper Regional Hospital

v. Other

b) In Support of Healthy Families

i. Adoption

ii. Foster Care

iii. Children’s Bible Ministries

iv. Young Life

v. Gideon’s

vi. Pregnancy Centers of Central VA

vii. Marriage Matters

viii. Spiritual Care Support Ministries

ix. Senior Citizen groups (Aging Together; etc…)

x. Jail Ministry – Chaplaincy/re-entry

xi. Parenting Education

xii. Other

c) In Support of Regional Communication

i. WPRZ 88.1 FM Praise Radio

ii. Virginia Living Television

iii. Culpeper Times Exponent

iv. Cable Channel 21

v. Other

d) In Support of Benevolence

i. Culpeper Social Services

ii. Piedmont United Way – First Call For Help

iii. Helping Hands Ministry

iv. OMEGA Partnership

v. Warming Shelter

vi. Food Closet

vii. Christian Service Project Organizations:

a. Habitat for Humanity

b. “Kelsey’s Big Give”

c. Impact Virginia

viii. Other

4. “PRACTICAL MINISTRY BREAKOUT SESSIONS” – The conference will feature practical breakout sessions (+/- 90 minute) for the Body of Christ to learn/become informed of special activities of the Lord in our region. These will be added as the Lord leads. Tailored as the Lord leads (some will be panel discussions, some will be round table, etc..). Those breakouts known to be planned at this time as listed below. Folks with ideas/a desire to lead a breakout session are invited to register the session at www.walkunitedinchrist.org:

o The Art of The Healthy Marriage – Dwayne & Julie Higdon

o The Art of Christian Worship – Stacey March, Tabatha Haines, David Wheatley

o The Art of Christian Prayer – The Culpeper Prayer Room, Pastor Adam Meisberger

o Women’s Ministry Focus – Rev. Nancy Sharman

o Men’s Ministry Focus -

o Youth Ministry Focus

o Children’s Ministry Focus

o God’s Word for Peace & Justice

o Adoption, Foster Care, Healthy Pregnancies

o Called To Serve (a series of breakouts by special interest/areas of passion to serve)

§ Information Services (Web Design, data bases etc)

§ Construction Services (Carpentry, Plumbing, HVAC, etc..)(e.g., “Habitat for Humanity”)

§ Community Benevolence beyond the net (Omega Partnership)