Tony Evans among preachers scheduled for SBTC Evangelism Conference Feb. 5-7

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December 10, 2006
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EULESS?Tony Evans, pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, is among the preachers scheduled for the Empower Evangelism Conference sponsored by the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Feb. 5-7 at First Baptist Church of Euless.

Others include Wichita Falls evangelist Jay Lowder, retired LifeWay Christian Resources president James Draper, Lynchburg, Va., pastor Jerry Falwell, and others. Tuesday’s Cooperative Program Luncheon will feature Southern Baptist Convention President Frank Page and Wednesday’s Senior Adult Luncheon will feature comedian Dennis Swanberg.

The conference theme is “God’s Amazing Grace,” based on Ephesians 2:4-7.

Evans, whose preaching is broadcast daily on more than 500 radio stations, is the co-founder and senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship and founder of The Urban Alternative, which seeks to bring spiritual renewal in urban America through evangelical churches.

The first African-American to earn a doctorate from Dallas Theological Seminary?an honor he received in 1982 after earning a master of theology at DTS in 1976?Evans has taught evangelism, homiletics and black church studies at DTS.

He also has served as a chaplain for football’s Dallas Cowboys and the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.

A father of four children and grandfather to six children, he was named “Father of the Year” in 1989 by the Dallas Father of the Year Award Committee Group.

He was also honored by the Family Research Center with the Marian Pfister Anshutz Award for his “dedication to protecting, encouraging and strengthening the American family.”

The author of 23 books, his latest, published by Multnomah, is titled “Dry Bones Dancing.”

SBTC Evangelism Director Don Cass said he prays those who attend will “take back to their churches the things they have learned.”

“The main purpose of the conference is to equip and inspire people to do the work of evangelism. So I certainly hope this will be a springboard or a catalyst to help increase baptisms in the local churches, that we would be zealous for the kingdom of God, more compassionate toward lost people, and more passionate for Jesus.”

A women’s session on Monday afternoon will feature Laurie Cole, Dawn Smith Jordan, Jaye Martin and Priscilla Shirer, daughter of Tony Evans.

Page, elected the SBC’s president last June in Greensboro, N.C., is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Taylors, S.C.

“We are grateful that Dr. Frank Page has agreed to be the keynote speaker for the SBTC Cooperative Program Luncheon,” said Troy Brooks, SBTC director of minister-church relations. “As a pastor he has demonstrated his strong commitment to the time-honored Cooperative Program. As SBC president he has shared his passion for the CP with churches across our convention.

“We eagerly await his message to the churches in the SBTC. We are expecting a sell-out crowd so we are encouraging our folks to purchase their tickets now. They may do so by going to our webpage (www.sbtexas.com) or by calling Traci Ravelo at 817-552-2500.”</ST1<