Evangelization conference to be held at Anaheim over weekend

Aug 24, 2004 / 22:00 pm

About 7,500 people are expected to attend the 14th annual National Catholic Family Conference at the Anaheim Convention Center this weekend, entitled ''For I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel,'' on defending and explaining the Catholic faith amidst controversies.

The organizers of the conference this year are the nonprofit Catholic Resource Center of West Covina, an organization committed to Evangelizing through different kinds of media – tv, books, radio.

Lectures to be presented have names such as ''No More Namby-Pamby Catholicism,'' ''Dashin' with Passion,'' and ''Learning to Witness to Others,'' and will include such speakers as Scott and Kimberly Hahn, authors of “Rome Sweet Home” and “Hail Holy Queen.”

The director of the evangelism program at the center is Michael Combie, a Catholic who grew up a Southern Baptist and was drawn to the Church by the idea of confession.

''As a Protestant I would have been condemned to hell, but as a Catholic I can go to confession. Hallelujah!'' Cumbie said. ''It's a great misnomer to tell people they are saved no matter what,'' said Cumbie who also realized early on that faith without works is empty.

Combie brings his experience as an Evangelical to the table and also sees points of contact between Catholics and Evangelicals that may aid them in working togethr to preach Jesus Christ. ''Every evangelical is trying to help people get to heaven,'' Cumbie said. ''Basically, we're on the same team.''