…the mission season that is.

Our ACMC team has 4 conferences happening this month, one every weekend (MD/VA, NY/NJ, NE/CT & OH) . Attendance at two of them has been around 160 each, with the attendees coming from a whole host of churches in their areas. So, even though economy issues are being felt in our church communities (which has been reflected in a lower than usual attendance), we are excited to see that turn out was still good. Churches want to know “how” to do missions and do it better, so that they are effective and make a difference in a world that is hurting.

You may ask, “What do they do at these conferences?”

They usually open with a general session for a time of worship.

General Session - Praising the Lord in song
General Session – Praising the Lord

Then, an informative and inspiring message from the keynote speaker helps everyone to focus on the task at hand. Next, everyone chooses from a list of workshops to attend in the morning and afternoon.

Food and Fellowship During Lunch Break
Food and Fellowship During Lunch Break

There is a break for lunch which allows for some great fellowship.

A Church Gym Provides A Good Lunch Space
A Church Gym Provides A Good Lunch Space

And, there’s a breakout time for networking with other churches.

Church Cafe: Great For Networking
Church Cafe: Great For Networking

You may ask, “Why attend these conferences on missions?”

  • To learn trends & issues in missions
  • To gain new vision and perspective
  • To be encouraged by movements of God throughout the world.
  • To be re-invigorated for ministry
  • To discover successful strategies used by other churches
  • To learn practical, how-to ideas
  • To meet people who can help you

And the list goes on…

At one of the conferences, Kelly will be leading a workshop on “Rapid Response Preparedness.”

Kelly's Workshop "Rapid Response"

He will be helping churches think through a variety of steps to put in place now, to be ready for the next tsunami or devastating earthquake. We all felt like we were caught “flat-footed” during the Indonesian Tsunami and Katrina. Here is where the old adage: “a stitch in time, saves nine” says it all.

Back in Orlando…

Twenty-eight new workers, plus their children, just finished the last of their missions training before heading to the field. Some are departing this next week, others within the next couple of months. Their excitement is high with anticipation. They have shared their stories with churches that will support their work. Their tickets are in their hands, and they have placed unnecessary possessions in long-term storage.

Now their thoughts have turned to: What will our home look like “over there”? Will I learn the language quickly? Will the people accept me, or like me. Will God really be able to use ME??? What will it all look like? Will our church back home remember to pray for us after we been gone for a while?

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