This weekend was the first annual missions conference held at Infinity Church. To say it was successful would be an understatement. What I'm getting at is this weekend was far beyond what I had imagined. The week leading up to the missions conference was by no means a walk in the park, but the conference itself was worth all the time, money, and work that was poured into it. Of course, none of the credit goes to me or any of the other members of the mission team; nor does the credit go to our missionaries that came to speak and do workshops. All the praise honor and glory goes to God the Father who guided us and lead us through the planning process and who gave us the strength the execute the conference this weekend. So let me tell you a bit of what He has done.
Saturday was the first day of the conference. We got started around 9 and went until about 4, but man that time flew by. After welcoming everyone in, getting everyone registered and munching on some pastries and fruit we got things started with some worship and giving of praise to the Father; the perfect way to kick off anything we're doing. We had a message of encouragement from brother Rick Clapp who also preaching on Sunday. He told us how he had become involved in missions, talked about the passing of his father and how that effected his life. He told us about the doors that God opened so wide in his life that he couldn't help but stumble through them. He could not know where these doors would have lead him, but he has been taking annual mission trips to Swaziland, Africa for many years now and has even adopted a brother and sister to live and serve with him and his family. I got to share with Rick about the death of my father and my grandma within about a year of each other and how that effected me in my ministry. We never know how God will use us, or what he will use to move us.
Pastor Mike Crawford brought us our next message from the Word. What Pastor Mike had to say is something all Christians need to hear. The title of his message: Every Christian is a Missionary. His point was that asking a Christian to do missions is like asking a child to eat candy or play video games. Or asking a Christian if he has ever considered missions is like asking Kobe Bryant if he has ever considered playing basketball. What Pastor Mike was getting at is that missions is something that should obviously be a part of who every Christian is. Spreading the Kingdom and making disciples is not something that only some Christians are called to, but it is something that we are all commanded to do. Not only that, but like a child and candy or Kobe and basketball, it is something that should come natural to us. Not necessarily "good" at it at first, but where ever we go, missions should be part of who we are. Not just when we go on mission trips, or just when we're at church, but it should be part of everything we do: going to the mall, running at the track, at work, at school, at our favorite restaurant, or at the doctor's office. Missionaries: It's who we are!
The conference attendees attended two workshops before we served lunch. We offered several different workshops with missionaries and IMB and NAMB representatives. I was able to attend two in the morning. I went to a church planting workshop and learned about the importance of church planting and how it is one of the most effective forms of spreading the Kingdom. I then attended the workshop teaching how to lead a mission trip and learned the importance of keeping your team spiritually prepared for the warfare they will face on the mission field. After lunch there were three more breakout sessions. The first was attended by everyone and was a panel discussion in which the audience got to ask the missionaries questions about missions in general or the field they work in specifically. I did not get to go to the two other workshops in the evening because of getting prepared for Sunday, but we got a lot of positive feedback from everyone who attended. Everyone seemed to have learned a lot and hopefully have caught a fire for missions and evangelism. It at least raised their awareness and revealed how missions is not just something we do, but it is something that we are.
Sunday's service seemed to go over really well. Sunday was more of a cultural celebration. All the different ministries at the church were grouped together and given a continent to create a display with information, pictures, and prayer needs for the countries of that continent. Everyone did a fantastic job decorating and setting up their displays. This also raised cultural awareness as well as revealed the importance of reaching people around the world for the Kingdom cause. After the service we served a cultural meal from a local East African restaurant. Everyone really seemed to enjoy the food and atmosphere. After lunch several of the kids asked me to take them on a walk. I cherished the moment to get away from the adults for a little while and get to hang out with them. We took a walk down to the pond and sat under the gazebo for a few minutes. One of the girls said, "I've never been on a mission trip before." Several of the others agreed; then they all decided they were eager and ready to go on one. They all wanted to go on a mission trip. So I'm not sure what kind of concrete effect the missions conference had on the adults, but I know the kids are ready to go. And that alone is incredibly exciting!
This whole summer has been leading up to the sports camp last week and the missions conference this weekend. Now that it's all behind me it's hard to know what to do next. I can't believe how well both went and wish we could do them again, after a little rest of course. But I've got just two weeks left here in Baltimore and can't wait to see what God is going to do in these last weeks. Last night I was informed that I will be given the privilege of preaching to the Infinity congregation at both campuses next Sunday. It will be my last Sunday worshiping with them, and now I get to share with them as well. After seeing what the Holy Spirit did last week during the sports camp and at the men's shelter I'm so excited to see what He does through me on Sunday. Please be in prayer for me regarding that sermon. I know that it is always Him who speaks through me, and I don't doubt that He will again, but only through prayer. Thank you so much for your prayers this far; I have certainly felt them and been blessed by them.
You can also pray that the information and knowledge that has been distributed this weekend at Infinity's first annual missions conference will only serve to further a heart for missions among the congregation and that the Kingdom of God will continue to come closer and expand in and around Laurel and Baltimore.
To God be the Glory
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