Training conference attracts thousands
Lay Christians flock to Ontario church for ministry training.
DOUG
KOOP
CW Editor
– Burlington, ON –
The sprawling facilities of Park Bible Church overflowed on consecutive Saturdays as thousands of southern Ontario church-goers eagerly sacrificed their April 29 or May 6 weekend plans to learn how to become more effective Christian workers.
“We provide training and resources for the local church,” says executive pastor Paul Robertson. This year nearly 2,600 people from 334 churches representing 31 denominations gathered at the Burlington church for Equip 2000, its ninth annual Christian education conference.
“We make sure that people get practical workshops presented by people in ministry who are making it happen,” says Robertson. “People go energized with ideas they can use tomorrow morning. This is not a conference of theory. It’s a how-to.”
The formula seems to be working. Dan Watterworth, 19, helped fill a carload from Glencoe, Ontario and drove for two hours to join 345 other young people in the youth track. Others arrived from Ottawa, Quebec, northern New York and Windsor.
“I especially enjoyed a workshop on understanding our times,” says Watterworth. “It helped me to realize how different age groups in the church have different needs, and how we can work better together.”
Provides tools
Youth leader John Latta was even more enthused. “I love it,” he says. “Equip gives lay Christians who have a heart for ministry the tools they need to work effectively. It addresses their needs.”
Plenary speaker Michael Tucker got the crowd onside immediately with a humorous introduction aping television’s “Who wants to be a millionaire?” Crediting the show’s popularity to a universal desire for freedom, fun, fulfillment and friends, he told his listeners that “you can get all those things in ministry.”
Equip 2000 featured 130 workshop options in five ministry tracks (early childhood, elementary, youth, adult, leadership). It also provided space for 75 exhibitors to show their wares.
A gymnasium was turned into a large bookstore displaying a much larger range of Christian curriculum resources than is generally available. Cook Communications Ministries Canada and Gospel Light (Canada) cosponsored the conference.