CONYC Indy

Matt Reagan finishes conference by covering Matthew 9:35-10:1 and answering the question: now what?

Matt Reagan uses Mark 10:17-31 to continue answering the question: is Christianity hard or easy?

Matt Reagan discusses Hebrews 10:11-18 to answer the question: is Christianity hard or easy?

WC Garret uses Romans 5:6-10 to explain that there is no better love than the love of God.

WC Garret uses Acts 17:24-29 to discuss our purpose.

Men, women, friendship, relationships, sexuality, marriage, is there anything else that needs to be said to get you to attend? These issues dominate our culture, campuses, and personal lives but often get addressed with either unhelpful critique or unhinged celebration. Don't come for definitive answers but, rather, insights and questions to foster and fuel a conversation that is both important and urgent. God offers us a better story than any other being told, let's see what he has to say.

Psalm 16:11 says that there is "fullness of joy" in the presence of God. I don't know about you, but I don't want to settle for "going through the motions." Join us as we explore what it means to walk with God in His way, for His glory and our good.

Hear from a panel of leaders about why the world needs great Christian leaders in all professional spheres of life. If you are looking for a vision of how God could use you in your future career to impact the kingdom as a leader, you should attend this seminar!

For most Christians the topic of evangelism is the source are the source of persistent guilt. Most of us know that we should share our faith with friends and family but are constantly plagued with three barriers: 1)Motivation: Why should I share my faith? Is is really that important. 2) Method: I want to share my faith but where do I start and who do I share the gospel with? 3) Fear: I want to share my faith but I'm afraid that people will think I'm weird or will be upset with me. This talk will address these three concerns by discussing the character that evangelism requires, the motivation that evangelism requires, and the method that evangelism requires.

What is the vision that Christ has for your life? This seminar is for those looking to disciple others, and for those who want to be discipled themselves. Come and learn how to have a life of impact through gospel-centered discipleship.

Life is full of choices, and college is often a season filled with some of the biggest decisions—what major to choose, which relationships to invest in, and what path to pursue after graduation. But how can you know what God wants you to do?

Rest is something God invites us into, but do we really even know what rest is? Let's learn how to quiet our minds and stop carrying more than we ought by seeing what Biblical rest for our soul looks like.

Matt Bradner uses Matthew 13:31-32 to show that decisions that may seem insignificant can lead to great destinations or great destruction. Therefore, it is important that we actively take steps closer to God, rather than away.

Matt Bradner uses Matthew 28:18-20 to examine The Great Commission and to explain Christians’ spiritual calling to make disciples.

Matt Bradner uses Psalms: 133:1-3 to demonstarate how God has purposed us to be good Christian teammates that together make up a great team.

Nate Bishop uses Romans 12:1-8 to explain how God has, is, and will continue to work in our lives.

Nate Bishop uses Romans 3:9-20 to explain that because all have sinned against God, all are accountable to God.

Nate Bishop uses Romans 1:8-17 to explain how the gospel is good news always. He explains how the Gospel never disappoints, always saves, radically transforms, and fully sustains.

If you're coming to the New Year's Conference and have expressed barriers to believing in the Christian faith, or, if you are a believer but have doubts that feel difficult to overcome, this seminar will take time to engage with a few common barriers to belief, and hopefully, find the truth to help with overcoming your barriers to belief and persistent doubts.

As a Christian you are welcomed into the family of God. While that truth connects us with believers all over the world, it is given particular expression in the local church for the benefit of every believer — including college students. Being a part of a local church is an incredible resource for you now, and learning to appreciate this resource during the college years will help prepare you for the post-college years when ongoing community and discipleship are critical! Join us as together we seek to appreciate the gift of a local church family.

To be discipled by Jesus is to learn from him, and by his grace to become like him. But what role do others play in my discipleship, and what role is Jesus calling me to play in the discipleship of others? Let’s learn together from Jesus, as he shows us what impact could be produced from a lifelong pursuit of discipleship for ourselves and for others.

In Luke chapter 5 we see a story of four friends trying hard to get their paralyzed friend to Jesus for healing. They're so desperate, they're willing to rip the roof of a house off for their buddy to encounter Jesus. They end up receiving so much more than they anticipated. Do you have a desire for your friends to know Jesus like these guys? Come hear about why God wants to use YOU for evangelism and learn about some practical and simple ways to share your faith with your friends. Let's be willing to rip off the roof to get even one person to Jesus.

Could I really be making decisions right now about friendship that would change the rest of my life? What messages do I get from the culture that are spot on about God’s design for healthy friendships? Anything better that God offers?

A secure identity. We all want one, but struggle at having one. The greatest barrier to a secure identity is something we talk little about...our shame. Come learn how to function out of a secure identity in Christ by dealing with your shame.

Why is decision making so hard? What are some practical steps I can take to make wise decisions? We all need help in making decisions. In this seminar, we will answer the questions above by giving you a Biblical perspective on decision making. If you need help in making hard decisions, this is the seminar for you!

Discover how college students can change the world by being purposeful leaders. This seminar will help you understand the link between self-discovery and lasting impact, so you can create a legacy that inspires future generations.

Will Witherington uses Romans 8:19-21 to help us understand The Plan for God's Mission.

Will Witherington uses Revelation 5:1-14 to help us understand The Scope of God's Mission.

Taylor Swift did a commencement speech at NYU in 2022 in which she told them, “It can be really challenging to figure out who you are on a particular day as you are figuring out where you want to go. I have good news, It’s totally up to you. I have terrifying news, It’s totally up to you.” Ever feel pressure to validate yourself, follow your heart, figure out who you are, do anything you put your mind to, or any of a dozen other popular mantras? Let’s think about the good, the bad, and the impossibility of it all.

Tony Dentman is a speaker, author, as well as a life and fundraising coach. He is the Founder and Executive Director of the Funding Tribe Foundation (2018). He is passionate about leadership, diversity, and fundraising, and has a career history of coaching and equipping team members to excel and grow into roles of expanded scope and responsibility. He has over 14 years of experience as a fundraising coach and has trained hundreds of leaders.

John O uses Psalm 32:1-11 to help us understand that God's Perfect Joy is Reserved for Forgiven People, Not Perfect Ones.

Who do you say you are? Who does God say you are? Understanding how to align these two answers may matter more than anything else.

A Christian without a church is a Christian skirting with trouble. College students are often a lost generation in the church as many students skip or pull away from the church throughout college and years after. However, this is not as the Christian life was intended to be. Attend this seminar to discover why the local church should be prioritized during your time in college and beyond.

Anxiety cannot be avoided. We need some coping tools as we face this everyday challenge. Learn about some practical ways God has designed us to resist being overcome.

We all struggle to fight sin and to develop our character! The Bible is clear on direction of what it means to fight our sin and what it means to be a Christian. This seminar will discuss what the Scripture teaches in regard to struggling with sin and what it means to follow Christ!

Why is it so uncomfortable to witness to our loved ones? It can be intimidating to discuss Jesus; however, we want to do everything we can to make sure that our loved ones have heard the good news of the Gospel. Sharing the Gospel is an act of love and courage because we care about the eternal destiny of our friends. Join us as we learn to share the love of Jesus with our friends and family.

John O takes us through Ephesians 1 to help us understand how God's Choice of Us, In Christ, Frees Us From the Past's Chokehold.

John O takes us through Genesis 3 to help us understand how It’s God's Business to Make Beauty Out of Chaos.

For our last session Patrick Lewis explains four distinctives of “The Call of Jesus”.Jesus’ call is intrusive- meaning he has a tendency of stepping in to our lives in uncomfortable situations. His call is clearMark 1:15- And saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Luke 9:23- And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.His call is a commandMatthew 28:18- And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (This is a command not a suggestion)19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,His call is enablingWhen he speaks his commands, he also empowers you to respondThrough his Holy Spirit he enables you to do the things you don’t think you can do2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. This is how he enables us; he works through us and as we understand his love it compels us. His call has gone out to us, do we hear it? It’s important to know that not responding to his call is to reject.Patrick leaves us with some things to think about as we go home. When was the last time Jesus interrupted your life? What are the things that he has told you that were clear that you’re still avoiding and pretending they are unclear?What are the things you are being called to do that you are afraid of?  

This evening we were introduced to a new speaker Patrick Lewis. He reads from the Gospel of Mark 4:35-41. 35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”Patrick Lewis explains:Jesus is Lord over storms within us Jesus is Lord over storms around usJesus leads us through storms to rescue others from the stormWhen he leads us somewhere that is unfamiliar or scary, we start questioning Jesus and asking him, “don’t you care?”, and if you did you wouldn’t let me be here. This is a lack of faith, and we need to cling to him in the storms. Patrick explains that by having faith in Jesus means losing control and having an unpredictable irresistible force in our life. We need to know that we can run to Jesus with our storms, and he can end them. Jesus says in Mark 5:19, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you”. He’s explaining that he came here for you and he wants to rescue others through you, so follow him. When the ultimate storm does come, we can be confident and know that we’ll spend eternity with him.

Paul Poteat began with addressing 3 Huge Questions that we should ask ourselves.Who is God? (Satan says: He’s not trustworthy, he’s not out for your best)Who are You? (Satan says: You can be your own God, you can choose to be good/bad)How do You Live? (Satan says: Do what you want, create truth)Judges 21:25 “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” Don’t drink the water! Our hearts are conflicted and is often being deceived. How do you set yourself up for these moments? Do you read your bible to be prepared? Jeremiah 2:13 “For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water”. When we get what we want its not satisfying us. Real freedom is to do what is right. We limit our freedom to experience greater joy in various things. (Sports, relationships, school, etc.. ) John 4:13-15 “Jesus said to her, Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” We all need living water and Jesus is that!

This evening Pastor D opens by reading from the next eight verses from John 10: 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”As we discovered in the previous session, He’s “the door” but now we learn Jesus is also the “good shepherd”. In order for us to get into the sheepfold, we must go through the door and through the shepherd.The good shepherd not only protects his sheep but is willing to die for them. Why? Because there is an intimacy and closeness between him and the sheep. As the sheep, we know this and can recognize his voice. We know he gives us protection, care and recognize the benefits we get from following the shepherd. The issue is we as the sheep are prone to wander when we don’t get what we want. Pastor D explains two reasons why some of us struggle with our belief in Jesus. 1. We haven’t gotten to know the shepherd well enough so therefore we never have experienced his goodness.2. Because of not experiencing his goodness we just keep on roaming around looking for better places, more satisfaction, more fulfillment, or places outside of God just like the sheep. The word of God is a gift given to us from God that from the more we know it more connected we are to Christ. Pastor D explains three things to look at if you are struggling with closeness and intimacy with God.1. What do we do about being intentionally about spending time with God?2. What does your prayer life look like?3. You’ve simply left the sheepfold/community.Jesus is the good shepherd that will die for his sheep and he’s not done saving his people and he wants us all to come to him.

This morning Pastor D opens his second session by reading John 10:“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Pastor D. explains that in today’s culture we do not like the idea of “exclusivity”. He encourages us to view this word differently as it relates to a relationship with Jesus. This passage is not meant to be exclusive it is meant to be inclusive. A relationship with Jesus is available to all people but the only way is through Jesus. Pastor D says, “God does not desire our good works he desires us to be Holy. When we believe in Jesus, we are now holy because God sees the believer covered in the righteousness of Jesus”. Once we believe in him, we don’t have to find our own way in life because he is our shepherd. All our satisfaction and fulfilment is found in him. All we need to do is trust him because he is the door and the one, we are searching for, its all found in him if we just believe.  

Who do you say you are? Who does God say you are? This may matter more than anything else, that you understand how to align these two answers.

Derrick Puckett also known as “Pastor D” opens this first session with a question, “Do you really believe in Jesus and does Jesus truly satisfy me?”. Next, he explains the importance of Jesus using the phrase “I am”. He explains that “I am” means that God is:  #1 Self-existent #2 Not dependent on anything else #3 God is immutable (unchangeable) #4 God is eternal Exodus 3:14 says, “God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you”. He is trying to remind Moses and the people that he is God and he always with you no matter how far you get off track he is still God and still for you. Jesus uses this phrase twelve other times in the book of John and seven of those times he uses this phrase to explain who he is. He explains the importance of recognizing our idols whether it be sports, people, ourselves or other things we all have idols. The problem with idols is that we always will try to look for more from these things. This causes us to misplace our trust and hope. God says that I'm here and I'm trying to get your attention! He will always be forever. We always get in the way of ourselves to experience God's great glory. Pastor D reads Philippians 4:13 and reminds us that we need to be content with knowing God is with us. He ends with the same question he began, “Do you really believe in Jesus and does Jesus truly satisfy me?”.

You may be wondering how you got to this conference, as you find yourself on a journey of questioning Christianity. We want to meet you where you are. While I prefer sitting down over a cup of coffee to listen to objections and talk about the Christian faith, this is my best attempt to provide another place for questions to be addressed. We will cover a framework for some of our questions with a Q&A and resources to follow.

Why is it so uncomfortable to witness to our loved ones? It can be intimidating to discuss Jesus; however, we want to do everything we can to make sure that our loved ones have heard the good news of the Gospel. Sharing the Gospel is an act of love and courage, because we care about the eternal destiny of our friends. Join us as we learn to share the love of Jesus with our friends and family.

Where do you turn when bad things happen? What does the Bible say about God’s involvement in your suffering? None of us escape the pain of a broken world, but there is still hope when life hurts.

We all have assumptions of who we are and how the world works. Our experiences in life can often challenge these assumptions and leave us feeling disoriented. Come hear how the Bible helps us uncover who we are and what God is doing in the world.

Do you believe a story can change the world? That a promise can leave a lasting impact upon one person, entire families, and future generations? God uses ordinary people to take the extraordinary story of Christ to all the world. Hear about how multiplication leaves a legacy and proclaims God’s promises from one generation to the next.