DETROIT (AP) _ Thousands of people are in Detroit for the National Baptist Convention’s 110th session of its Congress of Christian Education.

Events are taking place at downtown’s Cobo Center through Friday. The National Baptist Convention USA was founded in 1880. The black religious organization’s Congress of Christian Education, responsible for religious training, is offering nearly 300 classes this week.

During Elliott Cuff’s address, The Detroit News reports the congress’ dean urged people to stop trying to fix the mistakes of the past and focus on the future. Cuff says that: “We need to turn yesterday loose and let God lead us to his promised future.”

The Detroit Free Press reports the last time the Congress of Christian Education was held in Detroit was in 2009.