Name: Focus Conference 2024
Start: 2024-10-04T18:00:00-05:00
End: 2024-10-06T11:00:00-05:00
Location: First Slavic Baptist Church

This year’s Focus Conference theme will explore our identity as believers in Jesus Christ in the context of cultural mayhem. Drawing from Galatians 2:20, where Paul writes, “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me,” the conference will examine the transformative implications of this statement. For many raised in Christian households, these words are familiar, but their true meaning warrants deeper exploration. Does Paul’s declaration imply the erasure of his personal identity, or does it signify a radical shift in his worldview after encountering Jesus? We believe the latter is true, representing a profound change in how Paul viewed himself and the world.
Paul’s culture, much like ours, placed significant emphasis on identity distinctions—Greek, Jew, Roman, Gentile. However, in Galatians 2:20, Paul asserts that his identity as a believer in Jesus Christ surpasses all other aspects of who he is. This radical shift allowed Paul to transcend cultural and social boundaries, bringing the Gospel to diverse groups of people. His identity as a Jew and Pharisee no longer divided him but empowered him to connect with and evangelize various communities. Paul’s life exemplified Christ’s teachings: interacting with Gentiles, eating with sinners, remaining unoffended by insults, and being content in all circumstances—mirroring Jesus’ actions and attitudes.
The Focus Conference, an annual gathering of young Christian believers, seeks to connect, instruct, and inspire attendees to serve God faithfully and live out their full potential in Jesus Christ. Open to all people from different walks of life, the conference offers solid Biblical preaching, Christ-exalting worship, and godly fellowship. At First Slavic Baptist Church, we are excited to host this time of truth, worship, devotion, and fellowship, helping young Christians think about their lives in light of the Gospel. We invite you to join us for a transformative weekend as we explore these crucial questions together.