It takes a lot for a Texan to admit something like this, but after nearly four years working for LifeWay, I love living in Nashville. A friend of mine in the music industry calls it "Nashvegas: the city of broken dreams." Musicians flood this city like waiters actors in Hollywood, hoping for that big break. Others love the city because of the creative vibe that infuses virtually every industry and walk of life. You can't go a block without seeing a huge billboard advertising a new release by a big star, or a sandwich board sign promoting an up-and-coming band playing at a club. They come from far and wide, hoping to make a name for themselves.

The theme "Finding Your Voice" just clicked when several of us here at LifeWay Christian Resources were sitting around thinking about what we would do if we hosted a workshop in Music City. The theme just fits. As program vice president for the Nashville workshop, April 15-18, 2009, the theme has touched just about everything I've been doing and planning.

If you haven't seen the invitation video we played at the Phoenix workshop, make sure and check it out. It's on the front page of the BCA Website. Quite honestly, I'd have to stretch the workshop to a full week in order to cram in all that I'd like for you to experience. Care for a little teaser? In addition to a slate of great workshop sessions, here's what we've got waiting for you:

• Ed Stetzer, director of LifeWay Research, has been called by the Dallas Morning News as "one of the more plain-spoken SBC figures on the challenges the denomination faces in what many are calling a post-denominational age." Ed will present research and examine trends that impact Christians inside and outside the SBC.
• Worship leader and recording artist Travis Cottrell, who this fall is marking his 10th year leading worship for Beth Moore's Living Proof Live events, will speak and give us a dinner concert.
• Dan Miller, career and business coach, speaker and author of the popular book 48 Days to the Work You Love and the 2008 release No More Mondays, will speak on one of his favorite topics - finding your voice by doing what God, by design, purposed for you.
• Tim Bisagno, will speak about his journey as God helped him find his voice in ministry. Tim is founder of MXTV (MissionX Television), a creative, eclectic and uninhibited presentation of the Gospel of Christ for today's younger generation.

I hope you will begin making plans to attend the workshop in April. Online registration will soon be open, so be on the lookout for that information in the next newsletter.

By Russ Rankin, 2009 Program Chair