The Contend Conference

Something is happening in our world … can you feel it? Do you see it? It’s not surprising if you don’t. The change is slow, almost unnoticeable. Like a swimmer floating in the ocean, the waves can carry you far from shore. It doesn’t feel like you’ve moved until you open your eyes and look.

Culturally speaking, this “drift” has been happening for a long time. However, recent events have caused people to open their eyes and see how far the waves have taken us. What was once considered truth is now questioned. People we work with, go to school with, and live near have no understanding of the Gospel and the truths of the Bible. Their view of Jesus is skewed. These assumptions have made their way into the church. Leaders and institutions we once trusted … have drifted. RESIST THE DRIFT

For God’s Glory,
Pastor Bob Erbig

Biography: Bob serves as Lead Pastor: Preaching, Family Life and Missions at Millington Baptist Church in Basking Ridge, NJ. He is a graduate of Eastern University and Denver Seminary. He and his wife Amanda enjoy three children, two daughters and a son.

Progressive Christianity

Alisa Childers: In this talk, Alisa will walk the audience through the history, key beliefs, and key figures of the movement of progressive Christianity, and ultimately show how progressive Christianity is at odds with historic Christianity and even disagrees with Jesus on what the Bible is, what Jesus accomplished on the cross, and the definition of the gospel. 

Biography: Alisa Childers is a wife, mom, author, and speaker. She was a member of the award-winning CCM recording group ZOEgirl. She is a popular speaker at apologetics and Christian worldview conferences. She is the author of Another Gospel? and Live Your Truth and Other Lies. She has been published at the Gospel Coalition, Crosswalk, the Stream, For Every Mom, Decision Magazine, and the Christian Post.

Parenting & Social Media

Jason Thacker Social media is a tool that can be used for both good and ill, but also is profoundly shaping every aspect of our hearts, minds, and souls. Recognizing this reality is one of the key steps in raising up the next generation in the pursuit of wisdom and virtue. We need more than simple tips and tricks on how to use technology better as we recognize that these tools have become one of the primary ways that we are being discipled today and transformed by the patterns of this world. Learn how to think deeply about the nature of these tools that never leave our side and how we might practically equip the next generation to wisely engage them as they seek to follow Jesus in a digital age.

Biography: Paul is an Associate Professor of Philosophy of Religion and director of the M.A. Philosophy of Religion program at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Gould earned his doctorate in philosophy from Purdue University. He is the author or editor of ten scholarly and popular-level books including Cultural Apologetics, Philosophy: A Christian Introduction, and The Story of the Cosmos. He has been a visiting scholar at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School’s Henry Center.

“Live Your Truth”

Alisa Childers Popular slogans like “live your truth,” “follow your heart,” “you are enough” “you are the boss of you” and “you’re perfect just as you are” flood our social media feeds. In many cases, even materials marketed as “Christian” promote these ideas. But are they biblical? In this talk, Alisa will walk the audience through 3-5 cultural lies, demonstrate the bad thinking underneath them, and then turn to the Bible for a much better story.

Biography: Alisa Childers is a wife, mom, author, and speaker. She was a member of the award-winning CCM recording group ZOEgirl. She is a popular speaker at apologetics and Christian worldview conferences. She is the author of Another Gospel? and Live Your Truth and Other Lies. She has been published at the Gospel Coalition, Crosswalk, the Stream, For Every Mom, Decision Magazine, and the Christian Post.

Critical Theory & Social Justice Ideology

Neil Shenvi Critical theory and its expression in fields such as critical race theory, critical pedagogy, and queer thery are having a profound impact on our culture. Contemporary critical theory’s ideas about race, class, gender, identity, and justice have dramatically shaped how people think, act, and view one another—in Christian and secular spheres alike.

Biography: Neil Shenvi is an apologist, author and follower of Jesus Christ. He has written two books: Why Believe? and Critical Dilemma. Neil has an A.B. in chemistry from Princeton and a PhD in theoretical chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. He worked as a research scientist at Yale University and Duke University and has published over thirty peer-reviewed scientific papers. In addition, his writings on critical theory have been published by the Journal of Christian Legal Thought, the Gospel Coalition, Eikon, Ratio Christi, and the Liberty University Law Review, among others. He is married and currently homeschools his four children.

Saturday Evening Round Table Q&A

Join us for a thought-provoking Saturday night roundtable Q&A, hosted by Bob Erbig, featuring Neil Shenvi, Alisa Childers, and pre-recorded insights from Jason Thacker. Throughout the weekend, attendees submitted pressing questions on faith, culture, and worldview, and this session brings their answers to the forefront. Don’t miss this engaging discussion as our panelists tackle some of the most important issues facing Christians today!

The Gospel as Evidence that Christianity is True

Neil Shenvi closed out the weekend with a powerful sermon titled The Gospel as Evidence That Christianity Is True. Anchoring his message in Romans 3, he unpacked how the gospel itself serves as compelling evidence for the truth of Christianity. With clarity and conviction, Shenvi presented the depth of our need for salvation and the incredible grace found in Christ. Don’t miss this inspiring and thought-provoking conclusion to the weekend!