VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 3/27/12)—American Baptist International Ministries (IM) is pleased to announce the availability of a limited number of scholarships for the IM Call Retreat, to be held as part of the World Mission Conference at Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, WI.

The Call Retreat, May 18-20, is intended to help individuals and couples discern how they are “shaped for service” as international missionaries, as professional church leaders in the United States and Puerto Rico, or in missional outreach in their own communities. This event is co-sponsored by the Ministers’ Council and the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, and is the first portion of the World Mission Conference (May 18 – 25) which invites participants to “Hear the Call” to come to faith in Jesus, grow in their relationship with God, and change their worlds through the power of the Spirit.

A recent gift by a generous IM supporter is underwriting the scholarships, which cover registration fees, lodging, and meals for the three-day event. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information and to request an application form, contact International Ministries Recruitment at recruitment@internationalministries.org.

For more information about the World Mission Conference May 18 -25 visit http://www.internationalministries.org/read/38513-may-2012-hear-the-call-.

The Call Globally: Monday evening through Thursday evening, May 21-24 will focus on what God is doing in global mission today, especially as seen through the work of IM missionaries and partners in the U.S./PR and around the world. This event will include worship, Bible study and a variety of opportunities to learn from and connect personally with what God is doing through the partners and missionaries of IM.

The Call Celebration: Thursday afternoon and evening, May 24. The Call Globally will be brought to a climax with the participation of Dr. Tony Campolo and the Christian contemporary music group, Jars of Clay. The week-long conference will welcome additional participants for this final celebration of God’s call to global mission.

Special Moment #1: The Swing Day – Monday, May 21 Between the climax of the Call Retreat on Sunday night and the launch of The Call Globally on Monday evening, this day will offer a change of pace that includes opportunities for relaxed conversation and recreation.

Special Moment #2: Ready-Set-Go! – Friday, May 25 There will be opportunities to talk and pray with missionaries and staff during or after breakfast about the next steps you need to take as you respond to God’s call to global mission before heading home.

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 help people 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.

Starting this year, IM will begin celebrating 200 years of global mission. “This is a remarkable occasion for IM. Not many mission agencies have been able to reach this milestone. We are indeed grateful for God’s leading and guidance during our 200-year history,” commented Reid Trulson, executive director. “We are honoring the past while moving forward into the future.”
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.