DALLAS, Aug. 28, 2008 – The Urban Alternative will celebrate 20 years of providing training for church leaders with a new name for its annual convention – the Kingdom Agenda Conference.

The event, previously known as the Church Development Conference, will be held Sept. 30-Oct. 3 at the Hyatt Regency DFW. Dr. Tony Evans, senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas and president of The Urban Alternative, will speak at the opening general session Tuesday night.

“The Kingdom Agenda philosophy reflects the plan God has for every area of our lives,” Dr. Evans said. “The Bible is clear that spiritual ministry and social responsibility should work hand-in-hand. When the two are properly connected and integrated, people become productive citizens of society and are prepared for life in eternity.”

The Urban Alternative is establishing a formal association of pastors, the Kingdom Agenda Fellowship, beginning with an informational meeting on Friday, Oct. 3.

“Our group wants to transform communities in a way that begins with the individual, spreads to the family, impacts the church and changes the community,” Dr. Evans said.

Among other requirements, members of the Kingdom Agenda Fellowship must complete training in the National Church Adopt-A-School Initiative and adopt a school within six months. The initiative addresses the spiritual and social needs of urban youth and families through a church and public school partnership based on a program in Dallas.

Comprehensive training in the National Church Adopt-A-School Initiative will be offered at the Kingdom Agenda Conference. Intensive workshops will be held in a wide variety of topics, from “Church, State and Politics” to “Domestic Violence in the Church.”

Speakers at the general sessions will include Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, senior pastor, Faithful Central Bible Church, Inglewood, Calif., Dr. Fred Luter, senior pastor, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans; the Rev. James Meeks, senior pastor, Salem Baptist Church, Chicago; the Rev. James Robison, President, LIFE Outreach International; and the Rev. Jeffrey Johnson, senior pastor, Eastern Star Church, Indianapolis. Musical guests will be Marvin Sapp, Vickie Yohe and Anthony Evans, Jr.

Visit www.TonyEvans.org or call The Urban Alternative at 1.800.800.3222 for more information or to register. A variety of packages in different price ranges are available.

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