CMT helps plant churches

Formerly known as Church Planting Emphasis Week, the Center for Ministry Training’s (CMT) annual Church Planting Emphasis Conference will be held Feb. 25-26 to provide information and opportunities for students to connect with church planters from across the country.

According to Campus Mobilizer James Hobson, the goal of this event is to raise awareness about the need for churches and encourage students to become actively involved in this aspect of ministry. Forty-two church planters are scheduled to come for the event.

Unlike previous years, this conference will include a Church Planting Expo Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 1-4 p.m. in the Reber-Thomas Executive Dining Hall, according to Hobson. During this three-hour event, church planters will set up informational tables for their ministries, and students are invited to walk through to find out how they can be involved with specific church plants.

“These students have an opportunity to be a part of what is going on in the cities by applying for internships in the cities that tug most at their heart, whether that is local or abroad,” Hobson said.

The event will expose students to the various needs within the cities represented, according to Hobson. These internships are available for undergraduate and graduate students and include living in a city, reaching out to the lost and learning about ministry while in the field.

Hobson emphasized that the event is for students of all majors.

“Far too often we tend to think that ministry is for the professional,” Hobson said. “Ministry needs to be in the marketplace just as much (as), if not more, than in the pulpit.”
Breaking down the stereotypes, the CMT uses this event to show students how they can use their various talents to serve God.

“Be a nurse, be a graphic designer, be a film editor or be a teacher who is mission-minded in a city that needs it the most,” Hobson said.

In addition, four church planters will participate in a panel discussion to share their insights and experiences in ministry Tuesday, Feb. 25. Since space is limited, students are invited to register for this event through the CMT Web page, according to Hobson.

Though the formal events provide valuable information, a unique part of the conference is the opportunity for students to interact with church planters from different backgrounds and ask any questions they have about the process of starting a church, according to Hobson.

“The most important aspect of the conference is the down time in between events where students can schedule one-on-one time with planters and ask questions,” Hobson said.

Hobson emphasized that students can gain valuable insights through the personal interaction with those who have served in the field and faced the challenges of ministry firsthand.

According to Hobson, the Church Planting Emphasis Conference will provide opportunities to equip students to go out and participate in church planting and sharing the gospel with those who are lost.

For more information about the CMT and future events, visit liberty.edu/cmt.

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