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EQUIP Luncheon

August 1, 2017, 11:45am - August 1, 2017, 1:00pm

THIS MONTH'S TOPIC For our August 1st EQUIP, our speaker will be Sensei Micah Lopez of Cajun Karate, sharing the following important topic: “The Four Rules of Self Defense will be discussed in order to help you become more aware of the dangers present in today’s society. We all know that it is important to be able to keep ourselves and our families safe, but it is becoming increasingly harder in this day and age. Applying these simple principles to your everyday life will open your eyes and allow you to navigate this world with confidence.” Please join us NEXT TUESDAY to be part of the conversation! **TO REGISTER: Go to www.2717ministries.org/RSVP, click on the button and it will take you to the sign-up page on the site! Thank you! PLEASE NOTE: This is a FREE event, and all attendees MUST go to the provided link to RSVP, so we can be certain our location will provide adequate room. Attendees can purchase their lunch if they'd like but are not required to do so (more information at our RSVP link). ABOUT EQUIP EQUIP is a growing outreach of Covenant Spotlight. Beginning as a monthly luncheon, EQUIP helps followers of Christ navigate and combat the cultural atrocities encroaching upon our society. As Paul writes to the followers at Philippi, we are also “put here for the defense of the Gospel” (Philippians 1:16). Our silence on cultural issues ends today. The EQUIP acronym is formed from the words “Educated Questions to Understand and Inform People.” By asking thoughtful questions that require factual answers, we are able to gather information, lead conversation, and understand an issue or perspective. Upon gaining an understanding knowledge of the Word as it relates to the cultural issue, we are able to inform people with facts in love. Ultimately, the goal is to defend our Christian convictions in a world that is becoming quick to dismiss them. To impact the assault of a changing society on our lives, we must be willing to engage the culture that consistently attacks us from every side. Are you prepared to defend your faith? Are you prepared to face persecution? Are you equipped to let others know why you believe in God or the Bible? Currently, we are meeting once per month, and we invite pastors, and everyone reading this page to join us in this discussion. We won’t shy away from the tough topics. Together, we’ll learn how to respond to them. On JULY 11th, our speakers were Pastor EliotandJenny Morgan, on the topic: "Christian Persecution and the Muslim Awakening: In the hour we are living in, Christian persecution is at an all time high. Our brothers and sisters in other nations are paying the highest price to follow Christ, with their very lives. Yet in the face of relentless persecution, the Church is thriving in the darkest regions of the world. Terrorist organizations and religious intolerance are the main threats to these faithful ones. But even in the midst of terrorism and persecution, something amazing is taking place. There is a mighty revival taking place in the Muslim community all over the world. God is awakening those who call upon Allah with dreams, visions, and visitations from Jesus Himself! Join us as we we will be sharing what Jesus is doing in His Church in the persecuted nations of the world and in the lives of those He shed His blood for!" In June 2016, our topic was the Pastor Protection Act and where our Pastors and churches stand in today's culture, led by Pastor Dale Hoffpauir of Nouvelle Church of the Nazerene. For July 2016, our topic was the “Understanding the Gay Agenda,” led by Sancha Noel Smith, State Director of CWA. In August 2016, our back-to-school-centered conversation was led by former State Representative Brett Geymann, and titled “Common Core – The federal intrusion into education and the danger to our faith, values and culture.” In September 2016, Kathleen Benfield of Louisiana Family Forum shared LFF's history in defending family values here in Louisiana, and how we can get involved to join them in the fight. In October 2016, one of our Publishers, Keith Boutte, talked about "Why Covenant Spotlight Exists Today" as a reminder of how CSM began and why we continue to share light and love in Louisiana and to fight for our faith, families, and to bring more people to the Lord! In November 2016, Pastor Steve Horn shared a pastor's thoughts on the election, and in December 2016, Pastors Dale Hoffpaiur and Sidney Morales shared an update on U.S./Israel relations post-election, from both current trips to Israel and from AIPAC information/participation. In January 2017, our speaker was Attorney and CSM writer/supporter Christian Lewis, who is passionate about the Sanctity of Life and revising the Supreme Court Decision of Roe vs. Wade, and the biblical defense of that decision being overturned now. For February 2017, Pastor Rick Roberts spoke on our responsiblity as Christ-followers to love our enemies, including those of different faiths/religions, specifically in how to witness to the Muslim community, from their many years of mission work internationally and nationally. In March 2017, Bishop Carlos Harvin of the Senior Pastoral Alliance of Southwest Louisiana, spoke on the topic: “I Have a Dream: Dr. King's Message for the Body of Christ." While Martin Luther King's "Dream" speech was addressed to every American in 1963. On April 4th, our speaker was Mike Rebich, Project Coordinator for Matthew 25 International, with the message entitled: Missions for Today: "Following the heart of a missional God. Times have changed since the days of Hudson Taylor and Jim Elliot. As our world continues to change, we must change our approach to following the heart of God without compromising the Message of God." In May 2017, speaker Laine Leger of The Pink Elephant Initiative, spoke on "The Pink Elephant: Fighting Pornography to Fight for Love." This is an epidemic facing our society. In June 2017, speaker Myron Guillory spoke on his book "Racelift" and the reason he as a father was led to write it to inspire reflection and change between the races and within ourselves at our cores. For attendance, we've have had a combination of local pastors, local leaders, concerned readers, advertisers and CSM staff at these lunches and hope we sincerely hope to see YOU there too!