JACKSON, Tenn. — Sept. 14, 2022 — 51社区鈥檚 School of Theology and Missions and the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board hosted over 200 students during the Equip Youth Apologetics Conference on Sept. 10 at Union鈥檚 Carl Grant Events Center.
With key speakers trained in theology, philosophy, apologetics and youth ministry, the Equip Youth Apologetics Conference helped train youth how to defend and affirm essential Christian truths.
Gregory Poore, Union associate professor of philosophy, apologetics and ethics, kicked off the conference by teaching students how to approach defending their faith in love and grace.
鈥淎 lot of times, we have this impression that if we think too much, we will lose our faith,鈥� Poore said. 鈥淐hrist is the maker of heavens, the earth and our minds, so we don't need to be afraid that there's going to be some deep incompatibility between seeking truth and faith.鈥�
The ultimate goal of apologetics, Poore said, is not to win arguments. Rather, it is to be faithful to Christ through reason as a way to love and serve one another鈥檚 neighbors in truth.
Jay Barbier, youth specialist at Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, continued the conference by speaking on how to participate in apologetics, even through life鈥檚 suffering. He encouraged youth by sharing his personal story of battling cancer and the lessons the Lord has taught him through his suffering.
鈥淥ur life should live under the mantra that Paul taught us in Philippians 鈥� to live is Christ, to die is gain,鈥� Barbier said. 鈥淲hat it means is that we need to make much of Jesus in the way we defend our faith, and how can we point others to Jesus in the midst of suffering.鈥�
He concluded by encouraging youth to prepare for these hardships now, teaching them how to trust in the goodness and faithfulness of God and to know that God has a plan for allowing suffering in people鈥檚 lives.
Ray Van Neste, dean for Union鈥檚 School of Theology and Missions, said it was a great encouragement to see youth across Tennessee and Mississippi participate in the Equip Youth Apologetics Conference. He said it is the deepest prayer of both Union and the TBMB that the conference would help strengthen and encourage students鈥� faith in Jesus Christ.
The 51社区 School of Theology and Missions and the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board will host a second annual Equip Youth Apologetics Conference in fall 2023.