Photo gallery: Confluence 2023 conference sees commitments to Christ, ministry and evangelism

By HENRY DURAND, The Christian Index

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

McDONOUGH, Ga. —  Five people surrendered their lives to ministry at a conference for Georgia college students last weekend, and five others made salvation decisions.

They were among about 650 co-eds who attended Baptist Collegiate Ministries’ annual Confluence conference at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church. The focus of this year's conference was evangelism.

According to Beverly Skinner, director of campus expansion for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s BCM program, evangelism is a top priority. "We are training students to share their faith," she said.

She  explained that students were encouraged to accept the "5 by 12/25 Challenge" to identify, pray for and share the gospel with five people by Christmas.

Some 70% of the attendees comitted to the challenge, while 90% committed to be trained in sharing their faith, participate in an evangelistic event on campus, and/or pray weekly for lost friends.

Skinner said one student from Dalton State College that attended Confluence for the first time this year understood the message. "It's not just a calling for some people, " she quoted him as saying, "It is in fact a calling for all of us to tell people about Jesus."

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Caption: Tom Richter, pastor of Cullman First Baptist Church in northern Alabama, addresses students during Confluence 2023 at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Ansley Vickers, Kayla Maddox and Lauren Richardson, from left, make friendship bracelets during Confluence 2023 at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. The three attend Georgia Southern - Armstrong. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: A student takes notes during Tom Richter's message at Confluence 2023 at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Students enjoy a game of gagaball during Confluence 2023 at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Anna Poole, a student at Kennesaw State University, takes notes during a breakout session by Steve Turner, director of Next Generation Mobilization for Send Relief, at Confluence 2023 at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Emily Sinclair, left, and Joshwelle Dela Rama pray over backpacks they just filled at a "Backpack Party" at Confluence 2023 at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. Both are students at Valdosta State. Students filled more than 650 backpacks for Mission Georgia's outreach programs. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Warren Skinner with Send Me Now speaks to GCSU student Ashlynn Phillips during Confluence 2023 at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Celia Ulrich, a student at Georgia Southern University, and Kayleigh Riker, rear, from UNG Gainseville, leap for the frisbee during a game of ultimate at Confluence 2023 at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Students fill backpacks at a "Backpack Party" during Confluence 2023 at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. Students filled more than 650 backpacks for Mission Georgia's outreach programs. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Campbell Munsey dives for the ball as Tyler Hutzell, left, and Riley Macisak, rear, look on during a game of spike ball at Confluence 2023 at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. All three are students at UGA. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Students take notes during Tom Richter's message at Confluence 2023 at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Students seal boxes loaded with filled backpacks at a "Backpack Party" during Confluence 2023 at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. Students filled more than 650 backpacks for Mission Georgia's outreach programs. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Students gather at a "Backpack Party" during Confluence 2023 at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. Students filled more than 650 backpacks for Mission Georgia's outreach programs. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Students enjoy a game of ultimate frisbee during Confluence 2023 at Eagle's Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Index/Henry Durand)