VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 5/7/18)—The World Mission Conference, sponsored by International Ministries (IM), also known as the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society, brings a wonderfully diverse group of IM global servants and international partners together to meet with God’s people in a beautiful 1,100-acre retreat setting. The four-day event runs from July 4 through July 7 at the Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, Wisconsin. All are welcome to attend, and registration is open now.
“The World Mission Conference is a unique opportunity for the IM family to gather as the body of Christ to learn from and participate in the ministry of IM’s global servants as part of being involved in God’s work around the world,” says IM Executive Director / CEO the Rev. Sharon Koh. “This year’s group of global servants, our worship team and our morning keynote speaker have me excited to be reacquainted with old friends and meet new ones. I hope to see you there!”
This year’s conference highlights the diverse and holistic ministries of 15 of IM’s global servants, including:
Melanie Baggao – Lebanon
Barbara and Dwight Bolick – Chile
Dan Chetti – Lebanon
Kristy Engel – Global Consultant
Rick and Anita Gutierrez – South Africa
Paul Rollet – Philippines
Stan Slade – Global Consultant
Corenne and Phil Smith – Brazil
Becky and Larry Stanton – Hungary
Jeanine and Walt White – Global Consultants
In addition, eight of IM’s newest global servants will be featured. While they are not yet in their countries of service, they are eager to share their vision for their ministries:
Alise and Mark Juanes – Thailand
Sarah Nash – Bolivia
Aaron and Valerie Osterbrock – Malaysia
Brian and Lynette Smith – Haiti
Jae Stockton – Mexico
To add a unique cross-cultural perspective to the gathering, IM is excited to welcome 13 international partners representing four continents to the 2018 gathering, including Bible study leader the Rev. Dr. Hikmat Kashouh, who serves as pastor of Resurrection Church in Beirut, Lebanon, one of the fastest-growing evangelical churches in the Middle East. His church cares for hundreds of refugees, migrant workers and at-risk children.
IM will provide an array of worship, learning and play opportunities for the whole family at the peaceful and beautiful Green Lake Conference Center. The conference will kick off with a Fourth of July picnic with IM’s global servants and international guests. Daily luncheon table talks will give participants the opportunity for in-depth conversations with international leaders and dozens of global servants.
Evening worship services will provide inspiring messages about how God is working through mission around the world.
The International Marketplace is a family-friendly event where participants will be able to experience the cultures of many different countries and purchase crafts and products that benefit the people who IM serves. There will be afternoon opportunities for prayer, walks, kayaking, Frisbee golf, boat rides and more.
Participants will have the opportunity to choose from 12 workshops each day in which global servants and partners will discuss such topics as:
• Digging deeper into the struggles and realities refugees face in Lebanon – Melanie Baggao
• What does it take to create change in impossible circumstances – Kristy Engel
• Journeying with the poor in the slums of Manila, the Philippines – Paul Rollet
• Renewing our minds and hearts through fresh encounters with Scripture – Stan Slade
• Meeting new global servants and hearing their stories of God’s call on their lives – Debbie Miller and the new global servants
• Exploring how can you mobilize for short-term mission – Sandra Dorsainvil
The World Mission Conference will provide an age-appropriate mission experience for children entering K-6 and one for youth entering grades 7-12. These tracks will be available from 9:00 AM to noon on Thursday, July 5, through Saturday, July 7.
All individuals, families and church groups who want to find out more about global mission and how they can participate are invited to attend.
For additional information and to register, click here. Receive a discount when registration is completed online before June 15. To reserve housing and meals at the Green Lake Conference Center, visit the Conference Center website. For more information, contact Karen Mason at karen.mason@internationalministries.org or 610-768-2197.
International Ministries, also known as the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society, works cross-culturally to invite people to become disciples of Jesus Christ and to proclaim, through both word and deed, God’s reign of justice, peace and abundant life for all creation.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.