wfn.org | ABCUSA: World Mission Conference Focuses on Equipping Leaders, God's Provision in Times of C

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Richard.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

by Eleanor Lundy, American Baptist International Ministries

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 8/13/04)--An outpouring of
encouragement and financial support for International Ministries came from
World Mission Conference participants who were challenged and stirred to
God's vision of global mission. More than 500 people attended this year's
conference, held at the American Baptist Assembly/Green Lake Conference
Center in Wisconsin July 31-August 5.

Conference leaders appealed to American Baptists to rally around the need to
sustain global mission. Leaders openly shared that International Ministries
faces a shortfall of $1.5 million to sustain existing ministries. They
explained that in the past year International Ministries has deeply cut home
office staff, programs, national partner grants, and operating costs,
reducing the deficit by half. But the World Mission Offering must increase
from last year's $4.2 million to $5.7 million-or 36%---to avoid recalling
missionaries from service. Key speakers, including ministers of Mission
Support from around the country, focused on God's power and provision as they
challenged attendees and local churches to respond to this need. They joined
missionaries, staff, board members, and conferees in wearing "36% More"
stickers to increase awareness of the need to rise to the challenge of a
significant increase in the Offering.  

Leading the opening worship, International Ministries Acting Executive
Director the Rev. Charles H. Jones said, "While we acknowledge the great
challenges ahead, we are evermore hopeful that God is leading International
Ministries into a brighter future--one in which more American Baptists will
be more enthusiastically involved in what God is doing around the world." 

Special guests came from the Czech Republic, India, Spain, Indonesia, the
Philippines, South Africa, Japan, and Argentina. The Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley,
general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA, flew directly from
Baptist World Alliance meetings in Korea to bring greetings to conferees. 
Peggy Johnson, president of American Baptist Churches USA, hosted an
"afternoon chat" with opportunities for conferees to ask questions about the
direction and future of their denomination. Two Xtreme Teams of young adults
from Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and the United States were also on hand for the
conference.

The conference theme, "Equipping Leaders," reflected an important mission
priority of International Ministries and its global partners. Thirty American
Baptist missionaries and several international guests shared during evening
programs about equipping leaders in many contexts and cultures. The Revs.
Gary and Mylinda Baits, serving in Costa Rica, preached on the theme during
Sunday morning using the imagery (and aroma) of processing coffee beans. 

Conference keynote speaker Dr. Bill Clemmer, who with his wife, Ann, is now
serving a third term as a medical missionary in D.R. Congo, described four
important traits necessary for Christian leaders--and for those who train
them. Clemmer said leaders must be called, have a zeal for the gospel, be
doers of the Word, and be willing to supplant their vision with God's vision.

"Feed my sheep, do unto others, love one another as I have loved you . . .
that's all the calling we'll ever need," declared Clemmer. He recounted how
God more than met the tremendous challenge of rebuilding more than 85
Christian mission hospitals in war-ravaged areas of D.R. Congo. "His are the
cattle on a thousand hills," he said. "Prayer . . . unleashed a shower of
blessings beyond my wildest dreams." He quoted author William Taylor's
article, "Too Valuable to Lose," about the attrition of missionaries in
recent years. "The gospel has been proclaimed in economic hard times and good
times," he said. "God has a plan for the world that He has demonstrated time
and time again, and He will go on with or without us. We implore you to help
keep us all engaged in God's ministry across the globe, for we are all too
valuable to lose." 

Daily Bible study leader, the Rev. Dr. Ken Fong, senior pastor of Evergreen
Baptist Church, Los Angeles, Calif., challenged conferees to not only give 36
percent more to erase the deficit, but 100 percent more to the World Mission
Offering to enable those whom God is calling today to begin serving in global
mission. Fong's insightful Bible studies lifted up four ways we are "kissed
by God," challenging people to be fully engaged in life and in worship. 

Conferees responded to International Ministries' mission appeal with a total
offering of $85,095, including pledges, for the World Mission Offering. Prior
to the start of the conference, International Ministries' missionaries, board
and staff members had already pledged over $100,000 to help reduce the
deficit. 

In a humorous twist, conferees were videotaped as they were asked the
question, "What is an MPT?" Their answers provided the introduction to a
presentation about International Ministries' newest initiative, Missionary
Partnership Teams and Networks, an opportunity for American Baptists to
develop closer supportive relationships with their missionaries. 

Anthony Chan and Joyful Noise Xpress, a team from San Francisco, Calif., led
each evening's worship and music. Many in the audience stayed on long after
the final evening program to continue singing with the team. The Rev. Joseph
Ravela from North East India, a gifted composer and vocalist, led a unique
worship experience on one evening. Some three dozen American Baptist youth
led the conference in singing on another night. 

A special reception for global mission volunteers celebrated thousands of
hours of mission work around the world. Local churches shared their volunteer
mission trips through PowerPoint presentations before and after the morning
and evening programs. Many also contributed photographs to a mission photo
gallery organized by Dr. John Saint of Cherry Hills Baptist Church,
Springfield, Ill.   

Missionaries and MKs (Missionary Kids) hosted an outdoor International
Marketplace displaying crafts and other items from countries around the
world. Nearly 40 walkers raised several thousand dollars for the STEP
(Student Tuition Expense Program) scholarships for children and youth around
the world. A golf tournament, "New Links to Mission," also raised over $3,300
for the "Aid to Africa's Children" project.

K/2004ABNS/04ABN96 

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org