2017 Conference

The conference was such a blessing to all who attended…

Thanks to our speakers, volunteers and participants!

Below are a few photos from the day of the event. See you next year!

See Below for powerpoints and papers on some of our best talks of 2017!

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Dennis E. Hensley is chairman of the Department of Professional Writing at Taylor University and a columnist for Christian Communicator magazine.   Dennis is the author of 61 books, including two 2016 releases: Pseudonym and Finding Success with Your Dream Writing Projects.

Keynote Address: “Word Power”

In this humorous, fast-paced and insightful address, Doc Hensley will talk about the core element of communication: individual words. He will show how rhythm, timing, sound, emphasis, transition, and nuance all work to make sentences, paragraphs, and complete manuscripts powerful works that can arouse emotions, improve the intellect, and provide joyous entertainment.

Conference Schedule

(7:45) Registration Opens

Continental Breakfast 

(8:15 – 8:30) Welcome

(8:30 – 9:30) Workshop  

Church Library Reading Programs – Debbie Dehart

Are you looking for ways to get people more involved in the library? One way to accomplish this is through reading programs. In this workshop we will discuss a number of different ideas for children’s and adult programs which you can easily adapt for your own library.

The Power of a Weed Whacker! – Shari Potter

Are your library shelves crowded and sagging with haggard and worn looking books? Is your AV section dated? Learn why weeding is an important part of collection development and how to get started weeding out materials. Rejuvenate your space.

Here’s a look at Shari’s talk: Weeding

Where Do I Go from Here: Bold Living after Unwanted Change – Miriam Neff

You’ve lost someone or something precious. There is little comfort in knowing that no one avoids loss in life. Change happens and rarely is all positive. Loss, whether an important relationship, divorce, home foreclosure, bankruptcy, death of your loved one, incarceration, suicide, disability, career implosions-these are not part of our Creator’s original plan. Yet life happens and loss can be a catalyst for good. Let’s discover God’s resources for bold living and new opportunities.

Read Miriam Neff’s talk on loss: Where Do I Go ECLA Library 2017howd

(9:30 – 9:45) Break

(9:45 – 10:45) Keynote: Dennis Hensley

“Word Power”

In this humorous, fast-paced and insightful address, Doc Hensley will talk about the core element of communication: individual words. He will show how rhythm, timing, sound, emphasis, transition, and nuance all work to make sentences, paragraphs, and complete manuscripts powerful works that can arouse emotions, improve the intellect, and provide joyous entertainment. 

(11:00 – 12:30) Author Luncheon

Featuring: Gary Bower, Lainna Callentine, Dennis Hensley, Catherine McNiel, Mary Morgan, Miriam Neff, Allie Pleiter. Beverly Wines, illustrator, and Forrest Zander

(12:30 – 1:00) Shop ’til You Drop 

(1:00 – 2:00) Workshop #2

Christian Fiction – Chris Jager

Chris, the fiction buyer for Baker Book House in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will explore the 2016/2017 fiction releases from every major Christian publisher. With a brief synopsis of each title, and author comparisons, you’ll find books your readers will actually check out.

Here’s Chris Jager’s list of Christian Fiction: Review list

Writing and Marketing Testimonies: Yours of Someone Else’s – Dennis Hensley

In this workshop Doc Hensley will explain how to use your life-changing events as a way of sharing your testimony with others, whether spoken or written. He will show you how to organize your material, present it with enthusiasm and sincerity, and where to submit it for publication. He will also show how you can interview others (pastors, missionaries, teachers, relatives) and write their testimonies.  

(2:00 – 2:15) Break

(2:15 – 3:15) Workshop #3:

The Vision of a Church Library – Denise Roberts

Every library is different and challenges for growth vary. However, there are several key components every library needs.  Come be inspired as we discuss the fundamentals of building your church library. 

The Reformation: 500 Years of Reading! – Cathy Askeland

As we observe the 500th anniversary of the Reformation this month, we’ll take a look at the Reformation’s impact on literacy and take a listen to reviews of books pertaining to the Reformation.

Check out Cathy’s talk here:  THE REFORMATION 500 Years of Reading

The Story of a Missionary Pilot – Forrest Zander

An Eyewitness Account of the Conversion of Auca Jungle Killers to Faith in Christ based on the author’s book, His Faithfulness Reaches to the Skies: The Story of a Missionary Pilot

Driven by their love for Christ and their missionary zeal, five young American men attempted to reach the savage Auca people of Ecuador with the Gospel. Their martyrdom is well known in 20^th century Christian history. As a young missionary pilot, flying for Wycliffe Bible Translators, I was the pilot who took three of the widows to meet the men who had killed their husbands.

As Rachel Saint translated the Scriptures and her companion Dayuma explained the Word to them in their mother tongue, one by one each of the killers and many of their villagers experienced new life. I was privileged to meet the killers and witness their transformed lives as I flew in support of Rachel Saint and Elizabeth Elliot, and the converted killers became my friends and brothers in Christ. I may be the last or one of the last eyewitnesses to the sovereignty of God and His mercy and forgiveness to these men.

Take a peek at Zander’s talk: 16 Auca Time Line (fotos).docx (1)

(3:15 – 3:30) Break

(3:30 – 4:00) Book Giveaway!

(4:00 – 4:30) Book Swap & Bookstore