Circle the date! (or more likely, set your Blackberry, Outlook or other electronic contraption to remind you) - Monday, Feb. 12, is the day registration opens for the 2007 BCA Workshop in Mobile. Between now and then, visit the BCA web site often for regular updates about the workshop and watch your snail mail (yeah, we're going to send you something on paper, too!) for the printed version.

Why is that date important? Because for the first time, those who register electronically on that date, as well as those who mail their registration in between Feb. 12 and 16, will be eligible for some great prizes! Watch the web site for more details, and begin making plans now to attend the 2007 BCA annual workshop at the Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel (where we'll enjoy at $94 room rate) in Mobile, Ala., April 11-14.

As we think about what it means to "Mobilize the Message," we're reminded of the importance of marshaling all of our resources - whatever they may be - to get the gospel message out. With that in mind, some of the topics being offered will include using blogs in ministry, building effective web sites, Internet marketing made simple, creating marketing campaigns on a budget, finding just what you're looking for on the Internet and surviving (and thriving!) in a one-person shop.

Three topics that have been requested but haven't been offered in recent years will be time management for creative people, copyright (and other mysteries of life) and marketing research. Combine all of that with a few more training opportunities (still being confirmed), some great keynote addresses, and time to meet with those in your professional affinity groups, and you can see that the workshop will be time well-spent.

A few things you can do to help:

1. Plan to attend and make this the best BCA workshop ever.
2. Look around you for people who can benefit from this opportunity - church staff folks, students, Baptists in communications work who aren't in BCA - and invite them.
3. Pray for the workshop, that God will move in the lives of our members as we seek to mobilize the message - His message - around the world.

Doug Rogers (drogers@alsbom.org), BCA program vice president, is the communications coordinator for the Alabama State Board of Missions.