Partners In The Mission: Overcoming Barriers 02/12/2008 a message from Dr. Bill Mackey, executive director “Overcoming Barriers” is the theme for the upcoming Kentucky Baptist Evangelism Conference on Feb. 25-26 at Severns Valley Baptist Church in Elizabethtown. This seems to be an especially pertinent topic given a recent LifeWay Research study that indicates the biggest barrier to Christ can be the church itself. According to LifeWay’s research on “unchurched Americans” which polled 1,400 adults who had not attended a religious service in the previous six months, many Christians are seen by the unchurched as hypocrites rather than as people who are living out their love for God by loving others. Another barrier for the unchurched American is their misunderstanding about who God is. While 72 percent said they believed in a supreme being, only 48 percent agreed there is one God as described in the Bible. Sixty one percent believe the God of the Bible is no different from the gods of other religions. Also, 86 percent believe they can have a relationship with God without being involved in church. The good news is that 66 percent of 18-29 year olds agree that Jesus died and came back to life, compared to 54 percent of adults 30 years and older. Also, 78 percent said they would be willing to listen to someone talk about their Christian beliefs. Only 28 percent of adults 30 years and older said they think Christians they know talk to them too much about their beliefs. More than 75 percent of adults 30 years and older said they would enjoy an honest conversation with a friend about religious beliefs, even if they disagree with the friend. Although this research indicated there are great challenges for Christians, there are also wonderful opportunities for each church to connect with its community through servant evangelism and to reverse the perceptioin that the church is not living out its love for God by loving others (John 17:21, 23). This is the time to trust God to enable us to overcome all barriers, within and without, and to enter the white harvest fields compelled by His love for all people (John 4:35, Matthew 9:35-38). Plan to attend the Evangelism Conference and bring church members with you so they can be encouraged and challenged to share their faith. Session speakers and leaders of breakout luncheons will provide significant approaches in overcoming barriers to evangelism. Grammy-winner Larnelle Harris will provide inspirational music and a concluding concert. I know personally and have heard most of the speakers. They are Godly men who have spent years in ministry finding ways to overcome the barriers that arise with each generation. Women will also enjoy an outstanding session designed just for them from 9:20 a.m.-1:45 p.m. on Feb. 26. This session features Phyllis Foy and Alicia Williamson Garcia. Dr. Mackey's column appears weekly in the Western Recorder. To subscribe to the Western Recorder, call (502) 489-3535.