Eight thousand Boomers turn sixty everyday. By 2011, the oldest Boomer will reach sixty-five. When the Boomer generation becomes sixty-five years of age and older, the older population in the United States will more than double, from thirty-five million in 2000 to seventy-two million in 2030. What does this mean for the church? Will we find effective ways to minister to and with those in this generation?

The Second Half of Life Ministry is sponsoring a Leaders Conference, May 12–13, 2008, at St. Frances Retreat Center, DeWitt, Michigan. If you are a pastor or leader in this area, you will not want to miss this opportunity.

We are privileged to have with us this year Amy Hanson. She is a writer for Leadership Network, as well as an educator, speaker, and consultant in older adult ministry and gerontology. She was an active adult (50+) ministries director at Central Christian Church in Las Vegas before moving to Nebraska to complete her PhD in human sciences. She will host four sessions at the conference:

• Ministry with Builders and Boomers: Retooling our Ministries for Maximum Impact
• Breaking Down the Age Barriers: The Nuts and Bolts of Intergenerational Ministry
• Helping People Age Well: Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Health
• Service: The Linchpin of a Successful Older Adult Ministry

David Neidert, director of seminary advancement and the director of the Center for Christian Leadership, Anderson University School of Theology, will be our inspirational speaker for the Tuesday evening meeting.

We are excited to have Howard Briggs lead us in worship throughout the conference. He is pastor in the areas of older adults, assimilation and visitation, and assisting in worship, at Huber Heights Church of God, Huber Heights, Ohio. Howard has attended our retreat for the last two years, and we are looking forward to his leadership in the area of worship.

The conference starts with registration on Tuesday, May 12, at 1:00 pm, and will end with worship at 3:30 pm on Wednesday, May 13. The cost is $85 for a single room and $70 for a double room. This cost includes three meals, motel-style rooms, the conference, and conference materials. The registration deadline is May 1, 2009. Send your registration and check to: Church of God in Michigan, 4212 Alpha St., Lansing, MI 48910

If you have any questions, please call Janice Beyers at 989-277-4539 or e-mail her at jbeyers42@yahoo.com. You may also contact Bob Confer at 269-983-1524, ext. 14, or e-mail him at confer@myfirstchurch.com.