Contact: Audra Jennings, The B&B Media Group, 800-927-0517 x104, ajennings@tbbmedia.com

GLENSIDE, Penn., Aug. 23 /Christian Newswire/ -- This world is a scary place. The simple act of turning on the evening news reminds us of an ever-growing list of things to dread--war, suicide bombers, cancer, the volatile economy, divorce, parenting issues, addiction, sexual predators, natural disasters and countless other calamities. So how do we look ourselves, much less anyone else, in the eye and say with conviction, "Do not be afraid"? Is it really possible to face these tragedies, failures and struggles with a heart that is truly at rest?

The mission of the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF) is to see hearts transformed as God applies his Word to the problems of life. This year the CCEF faculty and counselors will be addressing the issue of fear at their annual conference entitled "Running Scared: Fear, Worry & the God of Rest." The conference will be held November 2-4, 2007 at the Valley Forge Convention Center in Valley Forge, PA. Pre-conference seminars will meet November 1.

CCEF operates on a biblical counseling philosophy that teaches people how to explore the rich wisdom of Scripture and apply it to the complexities of human life. Keynote speaker Edward T. Welch, PhD, MDiv, will lead the weekend to explore how the God of the Christian faith brings hope to fearful people. "God's most beautiful words of comfort are for the fearful, anxious and panic-stricken," Ed says. While serving as faculty member and counselor at CCEF and professor of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, Ed has authored several books, including Depression; Addictions; When People Are Big and God Is Small; and Running Scared (available at conference, but not in stores until January 2008).

General and special sessions at the conference will be led by a team of profoundly gifted biblical counselors. Topics include Fear After Victimization (Sarah Lipp); The Fearful Parent (Winston Smith); Facing Death (David Powlison); and many more. Keith and Kristyn Getty will be returning this year to lead in dynamic worship.

The pre-conference seminars include Helping Others Change presented by CCEF Executive Director Tim Lane and Paul Tripp, Changing Hearts, Changing Lives with Bill Smith and Connecting the Bible to Life with Mike Emlet.

To register for the conference or for more information, go to www.ccef.org and click on "Annual Conference" or call 1-800-318-2186.