Thursday, January 26, 2012

Update! Missions Forum East 2012 Conference

I will be heading to First Baptist Trussville (Alabama) on February 20th to attend the International Mission Board’s (IMB) training for missionaries. Below is a brief description of the event.
Missions Forum is a learning and sharing event designed specifically for missions leaders, addressing topics vital to effective missions involvement. At the Forum you will be able to:
  • Receive practical information on many aspects of the missions task, ranging from church mobilization and preparation to field connections and engagement strategies.
  • Hear speakers who are successfully engaged in the missions task, providing inspiration and practical "how-to" suggestions.
  • Dialogue with other missions leaders and missionaries to explore effective methods.
  • Talk with IMB and NAMB missionaries and learn how you can partner with them.
David Platt, pastor of The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham and Gordon Fort, vice-president for Global Strategy IMB are the forum speakers.
There are two tracks:

Awaking and Exploring - for those who are in the initial phases of missions outreach; presented in an instructional form. Topics include Basic Missions Strategies, Biblical Basis for Missions, Planning a Successful Missions Journey, The Effective Missions Leader and others.
Taking it to the Next Level - for those who are more experienced in the missions task; using a breakout group format. Topics include Planting an Indigenous Church, Staying Strategic, Oral Strategies (reaching oral learners), T4T (Training for Trainers), Reaching the World at Your Doorstep, Risk Management and others.
Obviously, the first track is what I will be taking. I am looking forward to meeting other missionaries, IMB officials, and of course, David Platt (author of the book Radical). But what I am most looking forward to, is gleaning the wisdom of many missionaries that will be there so we can in turn apply anything useful to our situation and efforts in the D.R.
In viewing the above information concerning the Missions Forum, I am expecting to leave that conference with a lot more practical knowledge and ideas that can be utilized immediately upon our arrival to the mission field...though I feel the necessity to make a disclaimer: Some trust in chariots, I will trust in the name of the Lord my God (Ps. 20:7). Father God, may it not be said of us that we trusted in strategies (chariots and horses), but rather that we were a people of prayer who could accomplish nothing of our own accord, but great things...mighty things through your Son, Who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13).

Thank you for your prayers,
Jared

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