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Westminster Presbyterian Church in Johnson City will host Dr. Craig Sheppard as keynote speaker Saturday and Sunday, March 20-21, during the church’s annual missions conference.
This year’s theme — “Reaching Unreached Nations” — will focus on ministry and evangelism in nations or among people groups considered “unreached” or barely reached by the Gospel. The Scripture verse for the conference is Romans 15:20-21.
“Our emphasis this year is on how we can share the gospel message with those who have never heard about Jesus Christ,” said Theo Hagg, Westminster’s coordinator for missions. “We want to be sensitive to other cultures yet still share eternal truths and the good news about Jesus. We’re very honored to have Dr. Craig give us his perspectives.”
Dr. Sheppard is senior pastor of Karawaci Presbyterian Church in Jakarta, Indonesia, as well as assistant professor of missions, senior fellow of systematic theology, and executive director of the Center for Reformed Theology for Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) International. He has also served as a visiting lecturer, worked in campus ministry, and served with Mission to the World (MTW) in Sofia, Bulgaria. There he planted a church, established a translation and publishing company, and, along with missionary colleagues, started a Christian school for missionary children (the Sofia Christian Academy). Dr. Sheppard led pastor training conferences and taught Bible and theology at the Bulgarian Evangelical Theological Institute. He has also served as the regional director for Eastern Europe with MTW, overseeing the ministries of 65 missionaries in seven countries, and served on the MTW policy council, helping set worldwide missions policy and practice.
Dr. Sheppard has pastored churches in Texas and North Carolina, is an ordained teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America, and has led presbytery administration. He holds degrees from the University of Kansas, RTS Jackson, and the University of Wales. He and his wife Lisa have five grown children.
The conference begins on Saturday, March 20, at 6:30 p.m., in the sanctuary with a presentation about the “Windows of Opportunity,” ongoing work among unreached people groups.
On Sunday, March 21, a combined Sunday School session begins at 9:45 a.m. in the sanctuary for all youth and adult classes, with a presentation about “The Excellent Sending Church” — how senders can care well for missionaries. Two worship services will be held in the sanctuary at 8:30 and 11 a.m.; Dr. Sheppard’s sermon, “A Bold Reminder,” will go through Romans 15:14-21.
Childcare for children up to three years of age will be provided at all events. The Sunday School session at 9:45 a.m. and the 11 a.m. worship service will be streamed on the Westminster Presbyterian Youtube channel (https://www.facebook.com/WPCJC). All in-person events will be fully masked and distanced.
Westminster Presbyterian Church is located at 2343 Knob Creek Road. For more information, go to https://www.wpcjc.org or call (423) 283-4643.