VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 2/29/12)—Registration is open for the 7-day World Mission Conference (WMC) sponsored by American Baptist International Ministries (IM) May 18-25, 2012 at the Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, WI.
The 2012 conference, which will include a 3-day call retreat weekend (May 18-20), focuses on discerning God’s call to Christian service and how to make that call a reality. The theme is 2012: Hear the Call. For more information go to www.worldmissionconference.org. To register, call the Green Lake Conference Center at (920) 294-3323.
“We’re excited about kicking off IM’s 200th anniversary by bringing together IM’s global servants and international guests who are deeply and personally involved in the work of God globally,” commented Dr. Reid Trulson, IM executive director. “They will share personal stories and experiences that will inspire and challenge us to listen for and respond to our own calls.”
Nearly 30 IM missionaries will be on hand to lead workshops and talk one-on-one with participants. In addition, a diverse, talented group of leaders will lead various educational tracks including:
Bible Study Leader May 18 – 20
Dr. A.K. Lama, General Secretary, Council of Baptist Churches, North East India
Call Retreat Tracks May 18 – 20:
Missional Involvement in Your Community
Rev. Glynis LaBarre, Transformational Strategist for ABHMS
Pastoral Ministry
Dr. Joe Kutter, Executive Director, Ministers Council
Dr. Jeff Savage, President, Ministers Council
Cross-Cultural Global Mission Service
Rev. Jim Bell, Recruitment Director, IM
Sunday Sermon, May 20
Dr. Leslie Braxton, New Beginnings Christian Fellowship, Renton, WA
Bible Study Leader May 21 – 24
Dr. Ken Fong, Evergreen Baptist Church, Los Angeles, CA
In honor of the 200th anniversary of the Judsons going to Burma in 1812, there will be international guests and Baptist leaders from Burma (Myanmar) and other countries including China, Haiti, India, Poland and Nepal.
“This event is a unique opportunity to interact with more than two dozen missionaries, development workers and global consultants who are coming from all over the world, including Mexico, Thailand, Italy, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, South Sudan, Bolivia, Laos, the Netherlands, Dominican Republic and Cuba,” commented Karen Mason, conference coordinator.
The “Call Retreat” weekend portion of the WMC (May 18-20) is designed to help individuals consider and discern God’s call to ministry in an international and cross-cultural setting, or right here in the U.S. in pastoral leadership of a local church, or missional engagement in local church communities.
“International Ministries is moving into an era of renewed, proactive efforts to cultivate missionary candidates and match them with the invitations and opportunities from our international partners,” notes IM director of recruitment, Rev. Jim Bell. “We are looking forward to meeting and interacting with persons whom God might be calling to step out in faith into new ventures of service.”
The conference will conclude on Thursday, May 24 with keynote speaker Dr. Tony Campolo, Professor emeritus of sociology, Eastern University; Founder and president of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education, and a concert by the popular Christian band, Jars of Clay.
To register and reserve housing, contact the Green Lake Conference Center at (920) 294-3323.
Registration fees:
$79 per person for The Call Retreat – May 18 – 20;
$99 per person for The Call Globally – May 21 – 24;
$149 per person for The Call Experience (the whole week);
$15 per person for The Call Celebration – May 24 ONLY with Tony Campolo and evening concert by Jars of Clay.
American Baptist International Ministries (IM) was organized in 1814 as the first Baptist international mission agency in America. It began its pioneer mission work in Burma and today works in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas serving more than 1,800 long-term and short-term missionaries. Its central mission is to invite people to come to faith in Jesus, grow in their relationship with God, and change their worlds through the power of the Spirit. It works with respected partners in over 70 countries in ministries that meet human need.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.