By Chelsea Kooistra, current student

Two hundred and fifty church leaders and Briercrest College and Seminary students and associates filled the Edwards Chapel last Friday and Saturday for SERVE 2009, the school's annual ministry equipping and personal enrichment conference. Scot McKnight, author of The Jesus Creed, was the keynote speaker.

During the main sessions, McKnight challenged attendees to “rearrange” how they understood the gospel and approached “the new generation” with it. He also reminded participants that the story of Jesus is all that they have to offer to those around them.

Participants came for training in church board leadership; theology of worship and missions; pastoral ministry; and ministry for children, youth, and women. Attendees also saw a concert by Resonant, Briercrest’s a cappella group, on Friday night.

Workshop leaders included David Guretzki, Paul Magnus, Tim Stabell, Dale Dirksen, and Cal MacFarlane of Briercrest College and Seminary; Connie Lawson of the Evangelical Free Church of Lethbridge, Alta.; Barry Slauenwhite of Compassion Canada; and Michael Pawelke of Compass Point Bible Church in Burlington, Ont.

According to one attendee, SERVE provided a “maximum amount of learning without making me feel overwhelmed.” Another participant said, “SERVE challenged me to think about how I present the gospel to those around me and equipped me with a fresh perspective for ministry in my home church.”