Tentative Schedule

3:30-4:45 PM on August 6, 2009

Baptists In and Out of Africa -- Dr. David Goatley, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention discusses the hands-on mission work that Baptists are doing around the world.  T. Thomas, Coordinator of the Cooperating Baptist Fellowship of Oklahoma and Founding Director of His Nets, explains how Baptists are effectively fight malaria in sub-Saharan Africa by the strategic distribution of $6 mosquito nets.

Baptists and Race -- an open discussion of the Baptist Center for Ethics documentary "Beneath the Skin."  Led by Rev. Dwight McKissic, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas along with Fitz Hill, President of Arkansas Baptist College and Laura Cadena, a Baptist laywoman who serves as Director of Communications at Mercy Street, Dallas.

Baptists and Disaster Response -- a discussion of the various ways in Baptists have responded to meet human needs after disaster strikes.  An explanation of the new partnerships that are forming to unite and coordinate Baptists in these efforts. Led by Charles Ray, Disaster Response Coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and Dr. Theresa Pickett, Associate Director of the National Baptist Convention's Office of Disaster Relief.

Challenges and Opportunities for Ministry in Inner Cities  -- a panel discussion by innovative pastors who are finding effective ways to minister in the inner city.  Led by Rene Maciel, President of the Baptist University of the Americas, and Tom Ogburn, pastor of First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City, and Chris Simmons, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Dallas.

Baptists Ministering to Orphans and Children at Risk -- a presentation about the myriad ways that Buckner International helps Baptists minister to orphans, children at risk, and families.  Led by Arnie Adkison, Chief Relationships Officer at Buckner Children & Family Services.

Welcoming the Stranger:  Baptists and Immigration -- a discussion of the ways that Baptists are legally and conscientiously ministering to immigrants and undocumented aliens.  Led by Suzii Paynter, Director of the Christian Life Commission of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Calling Baptists to Service -- An opportunity to hear two of the premier preachers in our region.  Joe Grizzle, pastor of CrossPointe Church (Free Will Baptist) in Norman and John Reed, pastor of the Fairview Missionary Baptist Church (National Baptist) in Oklahoma City will be calling Baptists to service at this hour.

Western Heritage Worship -- An opportunity to hear two premier preachers and experience worship styles unique to the West.  Kathy Longhat, pastor of the Rainy Mountain Kiowa Indian Baptist Church (American Baptist) and Charles Higgs, Director of the Western Heritage Affinity Group (Cowboy Churches) for the Baptist General Convention of Texas, will be leading worship at this hour.

9:15-10:30 AM  Friday, August 7

Baptists and Disaster Response -- a discussion of the varied ways that Baptists have been responding to meet human needs after disaster strikes.  An explanation of the new partnerships that are forming to unite and coordinate Baptists in these efforts. Led by Charles Ray, Disaster Response Coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and Dr. Theresa Pickett, Associate Director for the National Baptist Convention's Office of Disaster Relief.

Baptists, Health Care, and the Local Church -- a panel discussion about the innovative ways Baptists are responding to meet the health care needs of people in their church, community, and around the world.  Led by Dr. Fred Loper, Executive Director of the Baptist Medical and Dental Fellowship. Panelists include Barbara Wilson, RN, FCN Faith Community (parish) Nurse at the Cathedral of Praise in Oklahoma City; J. Michael Pontius, MD, Director of Family Practice Residency for the University of Oklahoma/Garfield County Medical Society Rural Program and Editor in Chief for the Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association (JOSMA); and Phoebe L. Brown, Dental Student, Class of 2011, at the OU College of Dentistry.

Navigating the Intersection Between Church and State -- up-to-date information and distinctively Baptist analysis of the current state of the thorny relations between religion and government.  Led by Brent Walker, Executive Director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty.

Building Affordable Homes -- The Norman, Oklahoma chapter of Habitat for Humanity discusses the effectiveness of the new "Apostles Build" strategy for building affordable homes for poor families. Led by Jana Castleberry, Executive Director for the Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity, and Lori Stevens, the Cleveland County Apostles Build Coordinator.

Calling Baptists to Service -- an opportunity to hear two of the premier preachers in our region.  Preston Clegg, Pastor of Spring Creek Baptist Church (Cooperative Baptist) in Oklahoma City, and Dr. Michael Bell, pastor of Greater St. Stephen Baptist Church in Fort Worth will be calling Baptists to service at this hour.

Celebrating 400 Years of Baptist Ethics -- Bill Tillman, T.B. Maston Professor of Christian Ethics at Logsdon School of Theology and Hardin-Simmons University will speak about the prophetic role of Baptists in society throughout our 400 year history.

Celebrating 400 Years of Baptist History -- Pam Durso, Executive Director of Baptist Women in Ministry and author of The Story of Baptists in the United States, and Dr. Bruce Prescott, Executive Director of Mainstream Oklahoma Baptists, will give a powerpoint presentation to celebrate our 400th year (1609-2009) of Baptist history.

The Challenge of Environmental Stewardship -- an honest and unflinching look at the challenges facing the planet in regard to anthropogenic climate change and global warming.  Led by Dr. Robert Parham, Executive Director of the Baptist Center for Ethics.

Challenges and Opportunities for Ministry in Rural Settings -- a panel discussion by innovative leaders who are finding ways to effectively minister in rural settings.  Led by Charles Higgs, Director of the Western Heritage Affinity Group of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.  Participants include Wilford Brown, former National Coordinator of Intercultural Ministries for the American Baptist Churches now Campus Minister at Bacone College, and Manuel Perez, pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista in Ulysses, Kansas and a Hispanic church planter in Kansas and Oklahoma.