Christian Covenant Fellowship of Ministries Conference set to kick off

During times of a financial meltdown, political upheaval and turmoil, one thing remains unshakable and that is the “Kingdom of God.”

That is the message that will ring loud and clear during this year’s Christian Covenant Fellowship of Ministries (CCFM) Conference, which begins Wednesday and ends Saturday, and will be at the Florence Civic Center.

This year’s theme is “Kingdom of God: Amidst the Shaking — UNSHAKABLE.” The theme is based on the Bible scripture, Hebrews 12:27-29.

Bishop Michael Blue, pastor of the Door of Hope Christian Church in Marion, along with bishops and pastors of the CCFM will host the conference that is free to the public. Registration is strongly encouraged.

When thinking of this year’s theme, Blue said, he thought about the climate in which the country and the world are.

“... I just thought about the fact that this is a time more than ever to call people to understand that the only thing that’s unshakable... is God’s principles,” Blue said. “Those are the things that will keep us stable in this unstable time.

“If there has ever been a time that people need a sense of security ... that time is now,” he said.

To kick off this year’s conference, gospel recording artist Minister Byron Cage will perform at 7 p.m. Monday at Florence Civic Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. and admission is free.

Gospel recording artist Marvin Sapp was scheduled to perform but had to cancel because of a medical emergency, Blue said.

Day sessions will be held at The Door of Hope Christian Church, 401 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Marion.

Evening services will be at Florence Civic Center. Doors open for registered attendees at 5:30 p.m. and for the public at 6:30 p.m.

The Wednesday night speaker is Bishop Tudor Bismark of Harare, Zimbabwe. He and his wife, ChiChi, founded Jabula — New Life Ministries International in 1989, initially as an extension of New Life Covenant Church in Harare.

Bishop Paul S. Morton of Atlanta will serve as Thursday’s speaker. Morton is a national recording artist and senior pastor of Changing A Generation Full Gospel Baptist Church in Atlanta.

Bishop Norman L. Wagner, pastor of Calvary Ministries International in Youngstown, Ohio, and national gospel recording artist will be the guest speaker June 19.

Musical guests include Jonathan Nelson and Stephen A. Hurd both of Baltimore; Wendi Wyatt of Atlanta; and Maurette Brown-Clark of Washington, D.C.

Youth events for ages 5 and up will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday through Thursday at Marion High School, 1205 S. Main St., Marion.

A youth or young adult explosion is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. June 20 at the civic center.

The annual CCFM Conference consists of ministries in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Illinois, Ohio, Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York.

For details, call (843) 423-0340, (843) 615-1666 or visit www.myccfm.org.

IF YOU’RE GOING

WHAT: The Christian Covenant Fellowship of Ministries 2009 Conference

WHEN: 5:30 to 6:30 (registered seating), 6:30 p.m. (general public seating) Wednesday through June 20

WHERE: Florence Civic Center, 3300 W. Radio Drive, Florence

INFO: Call (843) 423-0340, (843) 615-1666 or visit www.myccfm.org online

On the Web

The Christian Covenant Fellowship of Ministries, www.myccfm.org

Florence Civic Center, www.florenceciviccenter.com