BLOG BY DAVE KAYNOR

On Sunday, Jerry was visiting ABF classes to talk about this weekend’s Supporting to Sending Conference. One of the questions he was asked was, “When is the conference?” Oh boy! On our end we feel like we have been promoting this for months. But on your end, it may seem new. Obviously, not all have heard! 

Having said that, we are excited to be hosting Global Serve International (GSI) this weekend at the conference. GSI serves as the sending agency for several of our missionaries and they will be here to teach us how to move from being a supporting church to a sending church. We have a variety of opportunities planned and we wanted you to have all that info in one place.

Today is the last day to register for the Friday and Saturday components of the conference.

Friday, May 30, pizza dinner at 6:30PM in the gym (pay $5 at the door), sessions from 7:00-8:45PM

Saturday, May 31, breakfast snacks at 8:30AM (free), multiple sessions from 9:00AM-1:00PM

Sunday, June 1, three combined ABFs at 9:00AM to choose from plus our morning service

Here are the details of the conference all in one place:

Friday Night: 7:00 – 8:45 pm (Pizza at 6:30 pm)

7:00 – 7:45 pm Our Story of Pioneer Church Planting (Greg & Julianne, missionary couple) What caused a couple to go to a dark and difficult place where they had to learn a new language and adapt to a very different way of life? What drove them to return and persevere in their mission after they were expelled by a hostile government? Whether you are a Sender or a Goer, this talk will challenge you to be more intentional and “on mission” in your role.

7:45 – 8:00 pm Refreshment Break

8:00 – 8:45 pm Hearing the Bible’s Story Line of Hope for the First Time (Ayuna, convert from a formerly unengaged people group). “Unengaged people groups” are more than a category. They are people like you and me, but who live in a context where Christ has never been named (Romans 15:20). Ayuna’s radiant testimony provides her perspective of hearing the Gospel for the very first time – thus sharing the impact of her being a recipient of a message from a couple “who were sent” by their church to “go.”

Saturday: 9:00 am – 12:45 pm (Light Breakfast (8:30 am)

9:00 – 9:45 God’s Blueprint for Missions – The Book of Acts. (Greg) Acts was designed to show the advance of the Gospel mission in the world, all the way to the ends of the earth. This session will help us to define our task and the priorities of those whom we send.

10:00 – 10:45 The Task Remaining – The Need/ The Nations (Mark) What remains to be done for every viable language group to have access to the Gospel.

11:00 – 11:45 Sending Missionaries Well (Crispen) 50% of missionaries leave the field within the first four years. How can a sending church do its part to not only get them there, but keep them there?

12:00 – 12:45 Q/A time (Panel discussion)

Sunday: 9:00 – 9:55 am (ABF hour) Three Electives:

A Conversation between a pioneer missionary and the first convert from an Unreached People Group: For anyone unable to attend the Friday night sessions. This session will not be identical to the Friday night testimonies, but will capture the challenge of getting missionaries into difficult places where they face opposition and hostility. At the same time, it will help attendees really grasp and feel the utter hopelessness of being in a people group that has NO ACCESS to the light of the Gospel, and the amazing hope that occurs when the Gospel breaks through! Features Julianne and Ayuna. (Meeting in the Gym)

Entrepreneurship: How church members with small businesses can partner with their restricted access missionaries: For those who have a business background and an interest in helping or advising missionaries in starting a small business. Features Greg and Crispen, both veteran missionaries with experience in setting up business platforms in restricted access countries. (Meeting in Room 44)

Providing Member Care: For ABF liaisons and anyone who regularly prays for our missionaries. The instructor, Sharon B, has decades of experience in biblical counseling and oversees the care of all of the GSI missionaries. She is thoroughly biblical and highly skilled in helping churches care for their missionaries! Hearing her discussion will heighten awareness of the real life struggles of missionaries and how we can play an important role in those whom we support or send through our prayers and appropriate encouragement.

(Meeting in Rooms 280-281)

Now you know!

Dave Kaynor