Contact: Laura Captari, 434-221-8154

NASHVILLE, Sept. 9, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- A sellout crowd of nearly 7,000 Christian counselors, pastors, students and Christian leaders from all 50 states and over 30 countries are set to pack the magnificent Opryland Hotel and multiple overflow hotel properties in Nashville, September 11-14, for the historic American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) 2013 "Our Time is Now" World Conference.

This year's conference theme, "Our Time is Now," challenges Christian counselors, pastors, and caregivers around the world: "Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14b). If not us, who? And if not now, when? These questions serve as a rallying cry to take a stand for biblical values and the important role of faith in shaping culture.

Attendees will gather Wednesday night in the Opryland's Delta Ballroom for the opening plenary session to hear from AACC President, Tim Clinton, and apologetics scholar and best-selling author, Ravi Zacharias. Later in the evening, MercyMe will take the stage for the "Let's Get it Started" Celebration Event. Throughout the week, renowned Christian leaders David Jeremiah, James Dobson, John Ortberg, Eric Metaxas, George Barna, Max Lucado, Tullian Tchividjian, John Eldredge, Diane Langberg, Emerson Eggerichs, Gabe Lyons, Harold Koenig, Ricky Rigsby, Margaret Feinberg, Mark Driscoll, and Congressman Randy Forbes will address the audience in powerful keynote sessions.

This year's World Conference will offer over 50 different pre-conference learning institutes, over 160 workshops, over 80 poster presentations, 10 networking mixers, 3 luncheons, and an exhibit hall of more than 250 major Christian organizations featuring the latest resources and products to equip clinicians and caregivers.

Packed with times of learning, spiritual growth and development, opportunities for networking, and even a little fun, the energy and excitement will only escalate with praise and worship by Michael O'Brien, Charles Billingsley and the World Conference praise band, along with award-winning artists Mandisa and Matthew West, and comedian Tim Hawkins.

AACC president Dr. Tim Clinton shares, "Our staff has been prayerfully and diligently working for over a year to create a Christ-centered, professionally-focused conference environment, but we know that without the Holy Spirit's work there will be no lasting impact. Our prayer is that attendees' experience will be nothing short of life-changing. These are challenging times for many of our members, for our country and for modern-day Christianity, and we are standing together asking God to pour out His favor and blessing on our time together."

Plans for the 2014 AACC National Conference are already underway, to be held October 2-4 in Branson, MO. The AACC World Conference will be returning to the Opryland in Nashville, September 23-26, 2015. With nearly 50,000 members, the AACC is the largest and most diverse faith-based counseling association in the world. For more information, visit www.worldconference.net or www.aacc.net.