Christian event to feature practical topics

Nationally known speakers, authors and Christian musicians will be spotlighted at the Hawaiian Islands Ministries Honolulu 2008 conference April 4 and 5 at the Hawaii Convention Center.

Guest speakers and local church leaders will present 100 seminars on inspirational and practical topics during the annual conference, which drew more than 4,000 attendees last year. A separate youth program will be presented.

Dinesh D'Souza, author of the controversial political commentary "The Enemy at Home: The Cultural Left and Its Responsibility for 9/11," published last year, will be the keynote speaker at an April 3 pre-conference session. He will speak on "Our Great Hope: What's So Great About Christianity?" and will lead a seminar on "Answering the New Atheism."

Other general session speakers will be Shane Clairborne of the Simple Way Ministry in Philadelphia; Paul Sheppard, pastor of Abundant Life Christian Fellowship in Mountain View, Calif.; Tony Campolo, sociology professor and motivational author; Priscilla Shirer, founder of Going Beyond Ministries for women; and Tony Evans, radio evangelist of the Urban Alternative ministry.

Christian recording artist Chris Tomlin will star in an April 4 worship concert. Music at the general sessions will be performed by Ken Medema, Anthony Evans, Brenda Schulte, David Kahiapo and Kaukahi, and Bean and Bailey.

Next Saturday is the deadline to register by mail, fax or phone. The cost is $219 for an individual, with reduced rates available for pastors and their spouses, students, youth and active military.

Online registration will continue through March 23. The cost is $189 per person with reduced rates available.

The cost at the door will be $259. A $30 "Take a Peek" ticket is good for one session.

Separate registration is required for the April 3 pre-conference sessions for pastors and church leaders. For information call 988-5777 or see the Web page www.himonline.org.

This is the 25th anniversary of Hawaiian Islands Ministries, which was founded by the Rev. Dan Chun and his wife, Pam, to equip and encourage Christian leaders in Hawaii.