By Sharon Mager
BALTIMORE, Md.—Freedom Church, Baltimore, will host the annual “Unplugged” conference on April 29 from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm.
They’re also starting a new tradition this year with a pastor’s conference on April 28 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm which includes a question and answer time with H.B Charles, pastor of Jacksonville, Florida’s Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church and organizer of the “Cutting It Straight Expository Preaching Conference.” Light refreshments will be served.
Founder Michael Crawford, pastor of Freedom Church and Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware’s state director of missions, said “Unplugged” is unscripted and Holy Ghost led.
H. B. Charles, Jr. began preaching at the ripe old age of 11-years-old and knows firsthand the ups and the downs of ministry life. He is a sought-after guest and speaks at revivals, conferences and other events across the country.
Kevin Ezell is the president of the North American Mission Board (NAMB), leading national Southern Baptist church planting efforts as NAMB partners with churches, associations and conventions in mobilization for evangelism and church planting.
Shelley Allen has ministered in several capacities in Maryland. She currently works as BCM/D and DC’s church planting assessment coordinator while also teaching at Anne Arundel Community College. Allen was married to Joshua Allen, a pastor and adjunct professor at Liberty University. Josh and Shelley pastored a church in Las Cruces, New Mexico for four years before Josh died suddenly, the victim of a drunk driver also killed in the crash. Shelley and their nine-month-old son, Josiah, left all to return home to Anne Arundel County where Shelley restarted her life as a single parent.
This year there will be a panel discussion focused on gender issues with Jenny Yang, Senior vice-president of advocacy and policy at World Relief, Colleen Smith, founder and director of GEM: East Baltimore, and Ekemini Uwan, Author and Westminster Theological Seminary alumna.
“You’re going to be challenged. We’re not writing scripts, we’re not being careful,” said Michael Crawford, though all topics will be biblically based.
Baltimore City College Choir will close out the day with uplifting Gospel music.
The cost of registration for the conference is $20 and includes lunch. The Pastors Conference registration is free. Childcare will be provided during the “Unplugged” conference for children ages 0-3.
Unplugged is sponsored by Freedom Church, the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware and the Baltimore Baptist Association.