Here's another clip from the interview I did in preparation for the National Resurgence Conference 2008. In it, I talk a little bit about why it's important to understand the people around us as we tell them about Jesus. To hear more, you'll have to come to the conference.

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I would like to take this opportunity to explain some of the elements in the pre-conference of the National Resurgence Conference: Text & Context / Acts 29 Church Planting Bootcamp. On Sunday February 24, 2008 we are having a slotted time to meet with Mars Hill Church pastors and staff from 2:00pm to 3:30pm PST. Space is limited so sign up ASAP to reserve a spot in the various pre-conference tracks listed below. As well, if you attend this Sunday pre-conference track you will be able to see the evening services at Mars Hill Church. Remember when you sign up to check the appropriate track you want to attend so we can accommodate accordingly.

One of the speakers at the 2008 National Resurgence Conference is Jim Gilmore. Jim is an author, business consultant and believer. Since we realize the many have not heard of him and may wonder why we've asked him to speak at our conference, we will be mixing a series of short interviews that we did with him in the other promos with Dr. Piper and myself. Our hope is to give you a glimpse into Mr. Gilmore's unique perspective on culture and how we, as Christians, more succinctly tailor our message for whatever culture we may find ourselves in.

Watch the video on:

• Resurgence
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There are many questions that some have posted throughout the blogosphere about another conference. Some may gripe that we are just reinventing the church growth movement with conferences. Historically, church growth movement conferences had to do with methodology, but today's cutting-edge conference has to do with cool venues, cool bands, cool hair and any other dialogue format. While not saying that these types of conferences are bad completely, we hope that the National Resurgence Conference: Text & Context / Acts 29 Boot Camp, happening on February 25-27, 2008 is seen differently. We want to focus on theology and being Gospel-centered, not methodologically driven. We have a desire to be faithful to Scripture by realizing our own need for a Savior as we reach the lost with the message of Jesus' redemptive work.

So to help you with understanding how this conference is going to be different let me put forth some of the reasons why we think this conference is important and why it is in Seattle. Well, it is Seattle and although it may be raining, we do have a lot of coffee shops that are rad! Seriously though, we see this as a time where we can do a handful of things.

About this time last year I was in the midst of some difficulty with some Christian critics. At that time I received a call from a man I had heard a great deal about but had never met, Pastor C.J. Mahaney. He was offering a humble and helpful hand of pastoral counsel and friendship. Some time thereafter, he came to Seattle on his own initiative to speak wisdom into my life, meet my family, and build our friendship. Since then we have remained in contact and I have found him to be a great blessing in my life. Somehow God has given him the ability to speak into parts of my life where I need growth and maturity in a way that I can easily receive because of his humble character and biblical rigor. As a result, my love and appreciation for him is great. Furthermore, his little book Humility is packed with big insights that have been greatly helpful to my understanding of pride in my own life. Many of the pastors in our Acts 29 church planting network have also commented to me how much that book along with C.J.’s other works have been used by God in their life.

The National Resurgence Conference 2008 is coming February 25-27, 2008 at Mars Hill Church's Ballard campus. This year's theme is Text & Context. Our speakers will include Mark Driscoll, John Piper, Jim Gilmore and Matt Chandler. Find out more here.

Here's an excerpt of an interview that Dr. Piper gave in preparation for the conference. Watch the video on:

• Resurgence
• MySpace
• YouTube

Here's another promo video for the National Resurgence Conference: Text & Context. Find out more here.

Watch the video on:

• Resurgence
• MySpace
• YouTube

Same-sex marriage, gender confusion, yoga, enlightened thinking, secular-humanism, relativism, pluralistic diversities known as Universities (college), deism, integrative thinking, monism, the ever so popular book "The Secret" … all have the same root: neo-paganism.

One of the least talked about devastations in masculine formation is the boy who was not rescued from the bosom of women and initiated into the world of men. Many fathers fail to initiate their sons into the masculine journey which has very damaging, long-term effects. Preachers and teachers must figure out a way to initiate these men into kingdom mission.

Here's another video spot highlighting our upcoming National Resurgence Conference: Text & Context. John Piper gives advice on how to be ready to speak biblical truth to others. Click here to find out more about the conference, and here to register.

Watch the video on:

• Resurgence
• MySpace
• YouTube