The Alabaster Conference will celebrate eight years of praising and worshiping the Lord July 13 through 17 at the J’Michelle’s Event Center on Highway 231 south of Troy.

The annual conference has roots in Luke’s Gospel where a woman anointed Jesus with the contents of an alabaster flask while He was at the house of a Pharisee.

“Jesus used this incident to illustrate how forgiveness is granted to those who truly repent,” said Pastor Anthony Askew, who along with is wife, Debra Askew, are ministers at Christian Life Church of Troy, conference sponsor. “The woman whose life was filled with problems expressed her gratitude with a flask of sweet perfume and the Lord, in turn, forgave and blessed her. The Alabaster Conference is an opportunity for us to express gratitude to God for all that He has done in our lives.”

The theme for the 2011 Alabaster Conference is “Taking Territory in Our Lives.”

“We are all called to take ‘territory’ in our lives both inside ourselves and outside ourselves,” Askew said. “We must approach life with a positive mindset and then take territory of our families, our finances and our personal growth and overcome our fears. This conference will help us to use God’s Word to overcome obstacles and take territory in all areas of our lives.”

The Alabaster Conference will be lead by guest ministers, Dr. Yvonne Capehart from Pensacola on Wednesday night and Dr. Brian Mosley from Atlanta Thursday through Sunday. Services are nightly at 7 with a 10 a.m. service on Sunday.

Pastor Ronald Bailey of Little Rock, Arkansas will be the guest minister of music.

The Alabaster Conference will feature a gala/banquet event on Saturday night with Sheila Jackson and Friends in concert. Jackson and Friends will entertain with praise and worship songs, hymns and traditional and contemporary gospel selections.

Bailey will also be a featured vocalist at the concert along with Christy Davis of Arkansas, local talents Christine and Louise Stinson and Marla Drake.

Admission to the banquet/concert is $25. Tickets may be purchased by calling 334-735-0521 or 685-1250.

“The Alabaster Conference is open to all of those who are open to the Word of God and want to thank Him for what He has done in their lives,” Askew said. “We also invite those that want to know more about our Lord and Savior and what it’s like to be in His care.”