With all the flack and disagreement, at least in the circles of evangelicalism that I follow, over the Elephant Room, I wonder why I’m just now hearing about this one:
Pastors, artists and other Christian leaders will join this weekend at the University of Miami for the One Conference, three days of rallies, music and motivation to affect South Florida for the faith.
With megachurch pastors such as Brian Houston and Greg Laurie, the conference is set for Feb. 10-12 at UM’s Bank United Center in Coral Gables.
They’ll tackle dire issues like human trafficking, fresh water for Haiti, Bibles for “unreached” people groups and how to respond to crises. But first importance will go to simple unity.
“We’re all different, but we’re of the same substance,” says Pastor Bob Coy of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, who will be one of the 15 scheduled conference speakers. “Anytime pastors get together, that’s good. Translating it into partnerships is difficult. But it’s healthy to get to know each other.”
Franklin Graham, another of the planned speakers, agrees.
“The churches are fragmented; everybody gets into their own niches,” says Graham, who runs the Samaritan’s Purse charity and the evangelistic organization of his father, Billy Graham. “We need to get them inspired, excited about the Word of God. The gospel changes lives instantly.”
Besides Coy and Graham, the planned speakers include:
The Rev. Pedro Garcia, the host pastor and spiritual leader of Calvary Chapel Kendall. Garcia, who became a Christian believer in 1996 at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, is the founder of LIFE Radio (90.9-FM), which broadcasts to Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys.
Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., and founder of Harvest Crusades. Laurie led a crusade in Fort Lauderdale in 1995 and spoke at a Promise Keepers rally in Miami two years later.
Scott Harrison, founder of the nonprofit organization charity:water. His group has funded more than 3,800 water projects, providing more than 1.7 million people with clean drinking water.
Brian Houston, founder and pastor of Hillsong Church, which includes congregations in Sydney, London, Capetown, Paris, Stockholm and elsewhere.
Rich Wilkerson Jr., who runs a gathering in Miami called Vous. His ministry aims to infuse the gospel in music, teaching and the arts.
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The conference is named ONE. Features noteable evangelical leaders. And is all about unity.
Big names, big topics, yet no one is decrying this one.
Wonder why.
The reason no one considers this controversial is because they are coming together to discuss how churches can work together to DO GOOD deeds in the world, they are not coming together for one long spiritual pissing contest put on by celebrity pastors.
This seems obvious to me.
There are plenty of brave individuals who have shed light on this conference, and the willingness of leaders like Francis Chan and Britt Merrick to speak alongside false teachers such as Christine Caine and Brian Houston, and of course James MacDonald with his highly publicized embrace and endorsement of heretic T.D. Jakes. You are well aware of this, Todd. It is disingenuous of you to claim otherwise.
Midnight watch – why are Christine Caine and Brian Houston false teachers exactly?
Seems to me, that if one is going to slander/lible another it should be done with proof and scripture backing. just sayin.