Pr. Mark Tranvik

He introduced and translated Martin Luther's

Freedom of a Christian (Fortress 2008) and is the author of the forthcoming (in April) of 

Much of our lives are spent living "outside in."

Our identities are dependent on how busy we are,

the job we have, the image others have of our families, etc. We often feel trapped and confined by our need to live up to the expectations of others. But there is another way--a way of freedom--that comes with a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

Pr. Salim Kaderbhai is an ELCA pastor and gifted storyteller in Madelia Minnesota. He grew up in the Islamic faith at his home in Tanzania. During study at Concordia College, Moorhead, Mn the "power of testimony" brought about his conversion to the Christian faith. He is married to Katie and they are the parents of three sons--with a fourth, maybe even a daughter, on the way in July 2016.

We ask, "How do we talk about "conversion" in a multi-faith context without giving in to decision theology, denigrating other faith traditions or using shaming techniques? Salim Kaderbhai grew up as a Muslim in Tanzania and converted to the Way of Jesus in his college years. In this talk Salim will take us into the power of story as he shares about how the Spirit used the power of testimony his conversion to the way of Jesus.

A Salim quote: We all have a story that we are a part of. A story that ties our lives to the lives of those around us; with the lives of our parents and families, the church, our community and the ancestors who have gone before us. Ultimately, these stories of our lives tie into the larger narrative of the world and finally with the greatest story ever told - the one of a God who created us, formed us, knows us, loves us and reconciles us through the story of God's son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Savior.

Peggy Hahn serves as the Executive Director for LEAD in Houston TX. Peggy's passion is to align passionate leaders, resources, and practices to grow Christian leaders. With the heart of an evangelist Peggy tells the Jesus Story so that faith communities discover how to make a difference in their neighborhood and in the world. Peggy is a frequent speaker and author who is never without a pile of books to read. She seeks coaches and mentors for herself in an ongoing quest to learn and grow in the Way of Jesus.

What does it mean to be a remarkable church? Imagine a movement of Lutheran Christians who embrace their theology so fully that they become known for sending people out from church rather than trying to get people into church. Imagine your congregation as a practice camp instead of a destination event.

Learn the strategies of leaders who are making the word evangelism obsolete as they deepen their own faith and join in God's mission in tangible ways across their neighborhood and the world.