What is Empower 7:9
“After this, I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”– Revelation 7:9
We strive to embody this verse by creating an environment of unity where diversity is celebrated.
Mission Statement
Making a conscious effort to empower and equip students to have difficult conversations and be waymakers in a Christ-driven manner while leading the way in diversity, equity and inclusion from a Biblical perspective as they promote unity in the body of Christ with our differences.
During the conference, we will…
Acknowledge
that God created us to have different identities, backgrounds, and experiences
Educate
ourselves about how to approach diversity from a Christian perspective
Apply
our newfound knowledge to create change and empower others to do the same
About the Planning
We are a collective of High School students from Eagles Landing Christian Academy, Boston Trinity Academy, Mount Paran Christian Academy, Prestonwood Christian Academy, and Wesleyan School.
Under the leadership of Mr. David Mawhinney, Mrs. Jenny Brady, and Ms. Grace Lee, we have been empowered as students to recognize the part that we can play in combating injustice and promoting community diversity. Each of our respective schools functions with Christ at the center while equipping their students to lead lives of faith and leadership. Empower 7:9, now in its first official year, is our way of sharing this passion with other students from our communities by inviting them to learn and to contribute to the fight towards inclusion and racial reconciliation. This symposium seeks to tackle this conversation in three parts: acknowledgment, education, and application.
Being completely student run and led, our symposium will run for three days with Monday, June 7th, being the most compact with activities, keynotes, and workshop discussion. Our desire for the youth who attend our symposium is that they are inspired by the devoted lives of our speakers and challenged to reach their own potential as leaders in their communities. We are asking speakers to share the story of their fight for unity and their passion towards diversity, specifically as people of faith.
Speakers
Gilbert Fields is Pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist. He is a graduate of Luther Rice Seminary (MDiv 2004) in Lithonia, Georgia. Gilbert was licensed and ordained into the ministry in August 1992, and he has served in Decatur, Rome and Jonesboro, Georgia, as well as West Palm Beach, Florida. His ministry experience includes leadership in evangelism training and strategies, minister of education and discipleship ministries, international missions in 5 countries abroad, including the founding and organization of Rock of Ages Bible Institute in Kapletundo, Kenya, East Africa. He has also provided leadership and implementation of community outreach. He is a conference speaker and men’s ministry leader. Currently, Gilbert is a prospective candidate for a PhD in Systematic Theology at Clarks Summit University in Clarks Summit, PA.
Gilbert currently lives in Hampton, GA and is married to Shawnn Fields, and they have two children, Jonathan and Courtney.
Social entrepreneur, storyteller, and art director, Eryn Eddy is the founder and CEO of So Worth Loving - a lifestyle brand that uses apparel and community to bridge pain and shame toward an awareness of self-worth. In her 12 year journey of observing, learning, and growing in the mission of storytelling, she has developed an understanding that when people are honest and vulnerable in their own stories, it compels others to respond likewise. The So Worth Loving family has grown hundreds of thousands strong in 50 states and over 30 countries. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Oprah Magazine, CNN Headline News, MSNBC, Mashable, Southern Living Magazine, and Atlanta Magazine. Her story has been shared throughout corporations, conferences, and universities.
Sarah Park is the Community Engagement Coordinator for Gwinnett County in Georgia, a county that is diverse with the majority of its residents representing communities of color. As the President of the Metro Atlanta chapter of the Korean American Coalition, she led an online memorial service at a Korean American center in Atlanta for the victims of the March shooting, with more than 4,000 people viewing the service online and organizations like Nike standing in solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community for this worldwide vigil. After studying political science at Georgia State University, Park worked as an interpreter and also spent five years in the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau. Since 2013, she has been married to a second-generation Korean American who's on the urban planning board for Gwinnett County.
Schedule
Arrival – Sunday, June 6th
6:00-8:00pm
Dinner outside hosted by Joshua Expeditions at Mt. Paran (“dress comfy”)
Day 1 – Monday, June 7th
8:30-9:15am
Welcome and Devotional
9:15-10:15am
Session 1: Defining Diversity and Race as the Bible Defines it and How it is Important
Gilbert Fields
10:15-10:30am
Break (bathroom, water, snack)
10:30-12:00pm
Workshop 1: Small Group activity and discussion
12:00-1:00pm
Lunch
1:00-2:00pm
Session 2: Confrontation to Conversation
2:00-2:30pm
Break (bathroom, water, snack)
2:30pm
Center for Civil and Human Rights
6:00pm
Dinner in Atlanta
Day 2 – Tuesday, June 8th
8:30am
Devotional
9:00-9:30am
Workshop 2: Small Group Discussions: Discussion on movements
9:30-10:30am
Session 3: Student Panel
10:30-10:45am
Break (bathroom, water, snack)
10:45-12:00pm
Workshop 3: What Would You Do? Scenario Activity
12:00-1:00pm
Lunch
1:00-2:00pm
Session 3.5: “Loving Action”
Eryn Eddy
2:00-2:15pm
Break (bathroom, water, snack)
2:15-2:45pm
Debrief and Prepare for adult presentation
2:45-3:00pm
Break (bathroom, water, snack)
3:00-4:00pm
Wrap up: Students report back to adults
5:00-7:00pm
Dinner Hosted By Student Leaders