As followers of Christ, we are to be salt and light in the world around us as we live under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Yet being salt and light in a rapidly changing culture can be challenging. Many of the hot-button issues present in our contemporary culture where spiritual darkness abounds can often make it seem that we have an “us against them” mentality as we live out our faith. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

As followers of Christ, we are to be salt and light in the world around us as we live under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Following the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we should manifest a godly influence in an unbelieving world.

Yet being salt and light in a rapidly changing culture can be challenging. Many of the hot-button issues present in our contemporary culture where spiritual darkness abounds can often make it seem that we have an “us against them” mentality as we live out our faith. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

This year’s annual N.C. Baptist Disciple-Making Conference, scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 26 at Green Street Baptist Church in High Point, will address how we can be salt and light in spite of the many challenges we face. The event will feature keynote addresses from John Stonestreet of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview as well as more than 30 breakout sessions from a variety of pastors, church practitioners, ministry leaders and state convention staff.

The addresses and breakout sessions have been planned and designed to help encourage and equip church leaders and members to be a faithful disciple of Christ who will have confidence to fulfilling our calling to go and make disciples. Some of the topics that will be addressed include immigration, sexual and gender identity, pornography and more.

Many of the hot-button issues present in our contemporary culture make it seem that we have an “us against them” mentality as we live out our faith. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

John is a gifted speaker, author, thinker and cultural commentator. As president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, he carries on the legacy of the late Chuck Colson, who after his midlife conversion following the Watergate scandal dedicated his life to equipping Christians to develop a biblical worldview and put their faith in action.

Even though you may not recognize his name, many of you listen to Stonestreet on the radio because he hosts the popular Breakpoint radio program that Colson founded which provides analysis and perspective on news and current events from a Christian worldview. This is your opportunity to meet and listen to an influential individual you enjoy hearing via broadcasts.

We are honored to have such a leading authority on faith and culture for this conference. I hope many North Carolina Baptists will take advantage of this opportunity. Whether you come alone or travel to High Point with a group from your church, I hope to see many of you there as we become better equipped to be salt and light for the Lord Jesus Christ.

More information about this year’s conference is available online at disciplemakingconference.org. Registration is just $10 per person and includes lunch.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16