Jack Crum Conference on Prophetic Ministry 2019
The Jack Crum Conference
September 14, 2019 • Epworth UMC
Gospel Power vs Institutional Sin
exploring approaches to challenge corporate injustice and poverty
When corporate and civic institutions succumb to greed and societal discrimination, they rob society of its capacity to protect the poor and disadvantaged. They commit the sin of taking from the poor to enrich the rich. This conference will examine some of the strategies institutions use to do this and how they misinterpret the Biblical narrative to justify their practices.
This is less a conference and more of an experience in dealing with institutional sin. We will hear the history of civic and corporate indulgence in taking from the poor over all of history and how the challenges that Jesus made expose this institutional sin.
Using a real life case study and a series of current events in North Carolina that has reinforced segregation, poverty, and financial greed, we will participate in examining the root causes and practices of governance authorities, civic institutions, and even the church and examine ways to use the Power of the Gospel to challenge these institutions.
Childcare is available at no cost by emailing Amanda Wilson at awilson@epworth-umc.org by Thursday, 9/12/2019.
There is no cost for registration or food. Light breakfast and lunch provided. Please RSVP (Register) on by September 7th if possible.
The Jack Crum Conference on Prophetic Ministry is cosponsored by the North Carolina Council of Churches.
Our Facilitator and Speaker is Brian Heymans, Chair of the Board of Church and Society in the North Carolina Conference of the UMC.
Brian is a retired organizational change business consultant and former CEO of a multi-national consulting company in organizational change and has a deep concern for the role of the church in creating a just society.
Originally from South Africa and a lifelong Methodist, he was for over 18 years a member of two congregations served by Dr. Peter Storey in Johannesburg South Africa and worked with him on the Methodist Church of Southern Africa’s official newspaper, Dimension. He has served on several Connectional boards and committees in the South African church and in Texas. Brian has authored and run numerous training programs in advocacy methods and has published other work in organizational change, leadership development and church missional strategies. He created two JFON Immigration law clinics in Texas and is doing the same here in NC.
He has a degree in finance and commercial law and a master’s in business strategy and adult education. Married with five adult children, one of whom is Methodist clergy, his abiding passion is Australian beaches and Christian justice, of course.
Here are directions to get Epworth during street construction....
For those approaching Durham via I40: Take Exit 274 and turn north onto Hwy 751 (toward Durham). Stay on Hwy 751 (also named Hope Valley Road) until you reach the intersection at Martin Luther King Jr Drive. You will see a sign - “Road Closed, local traffic only.” Continue past the signs, staying on Hope Valley Road - Epworth traffic is local! The last driveway on the left before the road closure is Epworth’s. Volunteers will be on hand to direct you.
Coming from downtown Durham, via University Drive: Travel west on University Drive to the intersection at Cornwallis Road. Turn left on Cornwallis, then make the first right turn onto Stuart Drive. When you reach the end of Stuart Drive, you are at Hope Valley Road and Epworth’s driveway is directly across the street.
Coming from north Durham or Chapel Hill via 15-501: Follow signs for Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Stay on MLK Jr Dr until you reach the intersection with Hope Valley Road. Turn left onto Hope Valley Road, going past the Road Closed signs - Epworth traffic is local! Epworth’s driveway is the last on your left before you reach the road closure.
Driving via Chapel Hill Road or University Drive (old South Square area): At the intersection of University Drive and Chapel Hill Road, turn south (you will now be on Dixon Road). Follow Dixon to Martin Luther King Jr Dr and make a left turn. Follow MLK Jr Dr to Hope Valley Road. Turn left onto Hope Valley Road, going past the Road Closed signs - Epworth traffic is local! Epworth’s driveway is the last on your left before you reach the road closure.