The PCA’s Christian Education & Publications Committee (CE&P) reported at General Assembly today that more than 350 people participated in its 2008 conference, “Making Visible God’s Invisible Kingdom.” Attendees, the Assembly learned, represented PCA congregations from some 30 states, making the November conference the highlight of CE&P’s ministry year.

“It is central to CE&P’s mission to make disciples who know how to think, reason, and live as Christians,” the report stated. “Through training and resources, CE&P assists churches in making kingdom disciples who will make a difference by having an impact on the world around us.”

CE&P’s kingdom-disciple emphasis is not limited to adults. Its YXL (Youth Excelling in Leadership) conferences are held annually in partnership with Covenant College, along with a satellite conference in New Mexico. And last summer, 200 teenagers gathered for a week of leadership training, investigating “the kingdom of God” and basic Christian doctrine while learning Bible study skills. In December, 20 of the students took part in a week of follow-up mission service, working on projects to serve inner-city residents in Chattanooga, Tenn.

According to CE&P’s written report, Women in the Church (WIC) remains one of CE&P’s most effective ministries. As one CE&P leader explained, “The idea is for women’s ministry to focus on spiritual growth and assisting in mercy ministries. Discipling women with a kingdom perspective … to work with the church’s leadership  … [that’s the work of] CE&P’s women’s ministry.”

Through equipping events, providing regional trainers, and developing resources for study and growth, CE&P helps local churches strengthen their women’s ministry programs, including coordinating the directors of women’s ministry conference last fall that offered training, fellowship, and worship.

Recently CE&P joined with Mission to North America (MNA) on two major projects. One was the 50 Days of Prayer, a devotional booklet designed to encourage 50 days of prayer prior to the annual PCA General Assembly. This was the sixth year for the publication.

The other initiative was this year’s jointly sponsored Mercy Ministry Conference at New City Fellowship in Chattanooga. More than 230 PCA leaders and members attended the conference, the fifth of its kind.

To download CE&P's presentation to the Assembly, please click here.