Welcome to Next Step Evangelism!

Feasting and Famine: The Radical Middle on Hunger – March 4-6, 2010

First United Methodist Church – Atlanta, Georgia

So many exciting things are underway at Next Step Evangelism that it’s hard to know where to start. The new website is slowly coming together – not completely finished, but close! There are numerous new ministries that are developing and new people who’ll be blogging with us soon. It’s an exciting time!

The interesting thing I’ve discovered about this process is that the best ideas tend to sneak up on you, often growing without you even being aware of it. That’s the way it’s been with the Next Step Justice and Mercy Initiative. It’s just unfolded naturally – almost with a life of its own. That’s why I’m so excited about it.

The Justice and Mercy Initiative is about empowering people to expand God’s Kingdom through ministries of mercy and justice, word and deed. It’s about recognizing that our verbal witness in the world will be hollow if our lives don’t ring true to our message. To launch the JMI, we’re planning a hands-on teaching/learning event in Atlanta – Feasting and Famine: The Radical Middle on Hunger. We’ve chosen an important topic – hunger. I hope you’ll consider joining us. You can register online by clicking the link at the top left of the page.

Here’s a run down on what you can expect if you join us in Atlanta:

Adam Hamilton

Adam Hamilton is going to lead us off. Adam has a great way of emphasizing the head/heart and personal/social holiness connections that are a foundation of our Wesleyan way. A well-known and effective preacher, writer and teacher, Adam is senior pastor at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas.

During the conference we’ll have panel discussions to learn more about the policy side of the issue of hunger. There will be a ministry fair to learn about what various churches and groups are doing to eradicate hunger in their communities and beyond. We’ll offer break out sessions for a more in depth look at a wide range of local, national and international initiatives. Finally, there will be opportunities for hands on work in the Atlanta area. In all of this, we’ll be hosted by Senior Pastor Jim Ellison and the people of First UMC in Atlanta, who will lead us in worship and provide gracious hospitality.

Maxie Dunnam

Maxie Dunnam will close our time together. Maxie’s personal history of involvement in the Civil Rights movement in Mississippi, the Fair Housing and other initiatives in California, and the racial reconciliation process in Memphis, Tennessee provides an experiential foundation for bringing together ministries of justice and mercy. Chancellor Emeritus of Asbury Seminary, Maxie is currently involved in a new ministry, Kingdom Catalysts.

This is an awesome opportunity to build community among Christ followers, learn about a crucial issue in our day and join with others in important kingdom work. I hope to see you in Atlanta!