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The Third Degree

Biblical Evangelism Conference

Imagine the impact that could be made on our campuses if we could train and equip a generation of Christian persuaders who would not be ashamed of the gospel but would be confident in their declaration of God’s Word.

That’s the vision behind UCCF’s Biblical Evangelism Conference for students and recent graduates.

Great Bible teaching!

This year over 90 delegates gathered at Dyke House Christian Conference Centre in Ledbury to hear Marcus Honeysett (ex-UCCF team leader, London) give three addresses on using the Bible in evangelism. The talks focused on keeping the cross central in preaching and he encouraged listeners to, ‘preach pervasively and with power’.

For the second session, Marcus helped delegates to think through issues relating to speaking into a context of suffering and evil (i.e. tsunami, 9/11, bereavement, etc.). He commented: ‘We have a gospel that is deep enough to deal with suffering and evil, but sadly, preaching that doesn’t’.

With a twist…

Delegates were asked to prepare a ten-minute evangelistic presentation from a Bible passage to be delivered in interactive Bible workshops. The aim was to provide a positive environment for discussion and constructive criticism.

Of the 93 delegates who attended this year’s BEC, over 20 decided to opt for the apologetics training track. Dele-gates were asked to prepare a short talk responding to a number of apologetics issues such as ‘Do all religions lead to God?’ and ‘How can a loving God allow suffering?’

Gospel impact!

BEC has made a significant impact on the lives of those who have attended in the past. Many delegates have gone on to deliver their talks at student lunch bars, supper parties and CU evangelistic events.

The conference is now in its tenth year and literally hundreds have gone on to full-time Christian work, either as Relay Workers, full-time paid staff for UCCF or church-based ministry as a result of their experience at BEC.

‘I’m constantly meeting people who have said that going to BEC was the most significant training event in their young Christian lives’ — Ken Cowen, ex-UCCF team leader, North West and conference organiser.

BEC is about training people to take a passage and really persuade people to trust in Jesus. We live in a culture cluttered with noise, where we have to earn the right to people’s ears and attention. Now, more than ever, we have to work hard at persuading people from the Bible that Jesus is Lord and that God’s promises about judgement and salvation are true.

The conference organisers and group leaders are well aware that not everyone will be preaching from the pulpit. But by wrestling with the Bible and asking tough questions of the text, students learn to talk to their non-Christian friends about the Lord Jesus.

For more information about the Biblical Evangelism Conference, please email Pod Bhogal at pb@uccf.org.uk