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On a recent Sunday, I was doing a teaching at New Cov/Fresno where Jän Van Oosten is the Lead Pastor. In the worship service, I was witness to his passion for the youth of our culture, and his region particularly.
I saw a focus that caused his people to rise and cheer his leadership in a crusade to preserve the faith of our youth who are being indoctrinated against Christianity.
I wanted you to hear some of the energy of this pastor from these excerpts on a prayer bookmark distributed that day.
"On April 18-19, 2008, NewCov will be taking up the challenge of transforming a huge problem confronting Christianity.
The average Bible-believing local church has a variety of dynamic programs for children and youth but loses between 75 to 90 percent of the young people that go through the church's doors.
The number one issue that is causing this problem is that Christian young people have never been more ignorant of the Bible, theology, apologetics and philosophy than today. Christian high school and college students don't know what they believe or why they believe it and therefore, they can't defend it."
"To address this challenge NewCov is hosting In Defense of the Faith: A Debate and Symposium featuring Dinesh D'Souza, author of What's So Great About Christianity?"
"Please pray that high school and college students across the region will attend the debate and participate in this important symposium"
The debate will be on the campus of Fresno State University, featuring Dinesh D'Souza, noted Christian apologist, vs. Michael Shermer, Atheist Editor of Skeptic magazine. A wide spectrum of participation is already guaranteed, both from the Fresno area and beyond. Seating will be on a first come/first served basis.
The NCBC is partnering with New Cov Church for this Debate/Symposium in conjunction with our Annual Meeting. You will note the schedule inside this media piece. We will be adjusting our events to coincide with the Friday/Saturday schedule.
Will you also pray for Pastor Jän, NewCov staff and other leaders who are bringing this significant event to our area? This is a major incursion into enemy territory-pushing against the gates of hell!!
Also, if God leads you/your church to invest in this costly venture, you could either send a donation directly to New Cov/Fresno (earmarked Debate/Symposium) or to NCBC and we will forward it to Pastor Jän for his encouragement in this faith venture - for the faith of our young adults!! (We have already made a significant contribution toward sponsoring this event.)
So, Annual Meeting this year will be different, exciting, and groundbreaking. Come, bring church staff, youth leadership, leaders who could benefit from understanding how to defend our faith - for our generation and the next!! Register today!!
Don Reed, Executive Minister
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