The theme of the conference, "Not Ashamed!" is based on Romans 1:16 and will emphasize reaching the lost all around the world.

The conference is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 9.

The opening session will feature Fred Wolfe, former pastor of Cottage Hill Church in Mobile, Ala., and now director of Barnabas, a ministry of encouragement; and Donald Wilton, senior pastor of First Church in Spartanburg, S.C. Music will be provided by the Mt. Vernon Church choir from Boone, Jeanne Cameron and the Hayes Family.

The morning session on Nov. 10 will begin at 9 a.m. Paige Patterson, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Charles Page, senior pastor of First Church in Charlotte, will speak. Page has been battling cancer for more than a year. George McCalep Jr., senior pastor at Greenforest Church in Decatur, Ga., will close the session.

A luncheon sponsored by Rapha will be at noon in the dining room at Calvary Church. Joe B. Brown, pastor of Hickory Grove Church in Charlotte, will be the featured speaker.

The afternoon session will start at 1:30 p.m. with a sermon by David McKinley, senior pastor of First Church in Merritt Island, Fla.

Harold Danley, pastor of Pinehill Church near Monroe, La., will preach. Danley was a professional hit man whose life was changed by the power of God.

Mac Brunson, senior pastor of Green Street Church in High Point and a candidate for the presidency of the Baptist State Convention (BSC), will close the conference.

Music on Monday will feature the choir of Mountain Grove Church in Granite Falls; Jeanne Cameron; Rick and Phyllis Webb; the Hayes Family; and Jim Murray, who was formerly with the Imperials.

The conference will elect its officers on Monday afternoon.

Allan Blume, the president of the Pastor¼s Conference and a candidate for BSC second vice president, said he is going to ask the conference to begin electing a president and a president-elect. Adding the office of president elect will let the person elected to that post to begin planning the conference nearly two years in advance. That will make it easier to obtain key speakers, he said.

Blume said the conference is meant to convey the urgency of reaching the world with the gospel.

"I believe the preachers God is sending us will bring a challenge to boldness, compassion and urgency in sharing the free gift of salvation with everyone," he said.

People wanting more information about the conference can call (704) 264-5907. Anyone wanting a complimentary ticket to the luncheon can call Rapha at (800) 257-2744.