Does History Repeat Itself?

In this unique election year, political analysts, the media and even voters are looking to the past to see if history will repeat itself. While some things never change, this presidential election is certainly proving to color “outside of the lines.”

At the upcoming “U-Turn” conference for pastors, ministry leaders and engaged believers, headline speakers social science researcher George Barna and WallBuilders leader and historian David Barton will address the pressing topics on the minds of many as they head to the polls.

Biblical, not political, the daylong event, “U-Turn: A Roadmap for Renewal—A Conversation with Pastors on Society, Culture and Leadership,” offered by the American Pastors Network (APN, www.americanpastorsnetwork.net) and the North Carolina Pastors Network (NCPN, www.ncpastors.net), will equip, empower and educate attendees about the essentials to impact culture, especially now, when the church and Christian voters have the potential to make a real difference.

“We are honored to again welcome George Barna and David Barton to the ‘U-Turn’ stage,” said APN President Sam Rohrer. “These two powerful speakers are an inspiration to pastors and church leaders, and their motivating words will be deeply embedded on the hearts of all who attend ‘U-Turn’ in North Carolina on April 14. Pastors, church leaders and engaged believers are ready to take their ministries to the next level, and ‘U-Turn’ will be a catalyst for that change.”

Set for 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 14 at Southern Evangelical Seminary (SES) at 3000 Tilley Morris Road in Matthews, N.C., “U-Turn” will feature Barna speaking on “The Necessity of Engagement: A Statistical Perspective” and Barton addressing the topic of “When Pastors Stand for Truth: A Historical Perspective.”

George Barna has filled executive roles in politics, marketing, advertising, media development, research and ministry. He founded the Barna Research Group in 1984 (now The Barna Group) and helped it become a leading marketing research firm focused on the intersection of faith and culture before selling it in 2009.

Barna currently serves as the Executive Director of the American Culture and Faith Institute (a division of United in Purpose), and is President of Metaformation, a faith development organization. He has written more than 50 books and his work is frequently cited as an authoritative source by the media. Barna also serves as a speaker at ministry conferences around the world, on the faculty at several universities and seminaries, and as a pastor who helped start several churches.

David Barton heads WallBuilders, a national pro-family organization that presents America’s forgotten history and heroes, with an emphasis on America’s moral, religious and constitutional heritage. He is the author of numerous best-selling books, with the subjects drawn largely from his massive library-museum of tens of thousands of original writings, documents and artifacts from early America. He also addresses well over 400 groups each year. Barton’s exhaustive research has rendered him an expert in historical and constitutional issues.

Additional “U-Turn” speakers in North Carolina will include:

• Former NFL star and pastor Paul Blair, president of Reclaiming America for Christ
• Gary Frazier, biblical writer and founder and president of Discovery Missions International
• Jeff Mateer of the First Liberty (formerly the Liberty Institute), who has argued significant religious liberties and marriage cases
• Pastor, pilot and author Steve Scheibner, who tells his gripping story from 9/11
• Bryan Smith, senior manager for biblical integration for BJU Press
• Sammy Tippit of Sammy Tippit Ministries

Said a pastor who attended the Pennsylvania “U-Turn” event, “I was really blessed by the U-Turn Conference. … This was truly life-changing and transformational. I don’t remember the last time I have been so inspired to want to make a difference in the kingdom of God after attending a conference with such great impact. I was thoroughly energized to know what, how and why we should take back our country for Jesus Christ.”

The “U-Turn” early bird rate of $29 for adults ends March 24. The student rate (with an ID shown at the door) is $21, and the group rate (with five or more individuals) is $25. To register online, click here, or for more details, click here.