LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Two of America's recognized church health experts, Bob Russell and Thom Rainer, will host the Healthy Church Leader conference on May 4. This event is first in a series of three conferences during 2004 in which church leaders interact with the speakers and each other on leadership issues, effective ministry and reaching the unchurched.

"Each conference in the Church Health Series is an opportunity to interact with Bob Russell, one of the outstanding church leaders in America," said Rainer, dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. "His practical wisdom, along with my research, will give pastors, staff, and lay leaders new and fresh insights into what makes a church truly healthy."

Russell is senior minister of Southeast Christian Church, a rapidly growing mega-church in Louisville, Ky., which a membership more than 24,000. Russell oversees a staff of more than 250 and has authored 15 books on Bible study and church leadership. Two of his latest titles, "When God Builds a Church," and "When God Answers Prayer," have sold widely.

Rainer also has authored 15 books on the church, including "Surprising Insights from the Unchurched," "The Unchurched Next Door," and "Eating the Elephant," a guide for church growth.

Rainer also said participants in the Healthy Church Leader conference will learn about greatness. "The most important takeaway from this event will be an understanding of how a good leader can become a great leader."

Rainer said helping churches become healthier is his passion and calling.

"I have a passion to help local church leaders be as great as God has called them to be," he said. ‘It is a sin to be good when God has called us to be great. I believe it is critical not only for pastors, but church leaders across America, to become all that God intends them to be."

The Healthy Church Leader conference will be held Tues., May 4, at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville. The second conference, When Good Churches Become Great, will be held Thurs., Sept. 16, and the final conference of the series, Reaching the Unchurched, will be held Thurs., Dec. 2.

This series is produced by Church Central Associates in partnership with On Course Ministries. Louisville is within a five hours' drive for more than 22,000 senior ministers. For more information about the Church Health Series and to register on-line, visit the conference home page.

For more information by phone, call 502-515-0520 or 866-515-0520. Or e-mail Tom Harper at Tom@ChurchCentral.com.

Church Central
13100 Eastpoint Park Blvd.
Louisville, KY 40223
www.ChurchCentral.com