Don’t Save Me (Wk.4) - Why Does The Bible Matter? - Bob Balian & Efrem Smith 10/01/23
Series - Don’t Save Me: Good News for Skeptics
Week 4: Why Does The Bible Matter? - Pastor Bob Balian & Dr. Efrem Smith
Dr. Efrem Smith
For Sermon Notes Guide: https://midtownchurch.org/note/09-28-2023-midtown-church-thursday-nights/
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More about the Pastors:
Pastor Efrem Smith and Bob Balian are dynamic leaders at Midtown Church, sharing the role of Lead Pastors, each bringing a unique set of experiences and skills to their ministry.
Pastor Efrem Smith is an internationally recognized leader known for his motivational speaking and inspirational preaching, equipping people for transformative lives. He is a sought-after consultant in the areas of multi-ethnicity, leadership, and community development. Prior to joining Midtown Church, Efrem held significant positions including President and CEO of World Impact, founder of The Sanctuary Covenant Church in Minneapolis, and Superintendent of the Pacific Southwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church. He is also the author of several impactful books, including his latest work, "Killing Us Softly." Efrem holds degrees from Saint John’s University, Luther Theological Seminary, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Ashland Theological Seminary. He and his wife Donecia co-founded Influential, LLC, a speaking, consulting, and coaching organization, as well as Influential Global Ministries, a non-profit dedicated to African American and Multiethnic Church Planting, Revitalization, Disciple Making, and Metropolitan Missional Movements.
Bob Balian, the Founding Pastor of Midtown Church, shares the Lead Pastor role with Efrem Smith. He brings a unique background, having earned a degree in Economics from UCLA and a Masters of Arts in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Bob's journey into ministry began as a bi-vocational Youth Pastor, eventually transitioning to a full-time role as Executive Pastor at BOSS (Bayside of South Sacramento) alongside the late Reverend Sherwood Carthen. In 2011, Bob and his wife Letty planted Bayside Midtown in the heart of Sacramento, a city renowned for its diversity. From day one, they have been committed to fostering diversity and racial reconciliation within their church community. In May 2021, Bob led the church in a transformation to become Midtown Covenant Church, which now has campuses in Sacramento and Elk Grove, California, with a mission to b