Bowling Green—Hundreds will gather in Bowling Green next month for an intensive two-day evangelism conference aimed at helping Kentucky Baptist churches “make much of Jesus.”

“We have enlisted some of the top minds in evangelism who can ignite hearts and empower churches to engage their world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Chuck McAlister, team leader of Kentucky Baptist Convention Evangelism, Church Planting and Collegiate Ministries.

The 2016 RISK Evangelism Conference will be hosted by Hillvue Heights Church on Feb. 8-9.

McAlister said participants will be given resources they can take back their churches to captivate the hearts of church members to engage their community with the gospel.

More than 15 noted Southern Baptist speakers from Kentucky and across the country will emphasize the urgency to evangelize, reconcile and plant churches.

Presenters include: David Bailey, founder and executive director of Arrabon; Ricky Chelette, executive director of Living Hope Ministries; Paul Chitwood, executive director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention; John Dickerson, author of “I Am Strong” and “The Great Evangelical Recession”; Ron Edmondson, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington; Shane Farmer, senior pastor of Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colo; Ronnie Floyd, president of the Southern Baptist Convention;

Alex Himaya, senior pastor of theChurch.at, Tulsa, Okla; Chuck McAlister, leader of the Kentucky Baptist Convention’s Evangelism, Church Planting and Collegiate Ministries team; Brian Mills, speaker and author of “Virtuosity: Doing the Common Uncommonly Well”; Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville; Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee; Vance Pitman, senior pastor of Hope Church in Las Vegas; and Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tenn.

Speakers will expand on this year’s theme, “Make Much of Jesus,” by helping participants better understand the workings of their church, culture and community and then use that knowledge to determine needs and heed the call of scripture.

McAlister said networking opportunities abound at RISK from talking with individuals who are experiencing tremendous church growth and to learning how to begin the process of planting a new church.

A special women’s-only breakout session will be held Feb. 9. Among the presenters will be Peggy Berry, ministry transition specialist at the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and Janice McAlister, wife of Chuck McAlister.

Worship will be led by Keith Scarborough, associate worship pastor at Hillvue Heights Church, and Jason Stewart, worship and music consultant with the Kentucky Baptist Convention.

The cost to register is $15 through Jan. 31 and raises to $20 Feb. 1-9. Group rates are available by calling 502-489-3418. To register, go to www.kybaptist.org/risk. (KBC)