2010 Missions Conference Reflection

In the collection of essays entitled Lectures to My Students Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Examine what you have the abilities and gifts to complete and set your plans broader than that lest you grow confident in your own strength and forget the necessity of trusting God and glorifying His strength in light of your weakness.”

There was definitely an aspect of this mantra running through the preparation and festivities associated with the missions conference this past week. This was New Life’s second missions conference, and as opposed to last year’s one-night service we tried to stretch this year’s conference into a five-day event. Unfortunately, due to the weather Jon and Sarah Pfeil, missionaries from Japan (more on them later), had to cancel their meeting with the AWANA kids, but we still had the pleasure of their company Thursday through Friday. However, we still had the pleasure of hearing from the Pfeils at one of the Life Groups on Thursday, and they also gave different presentations at the Friday night missions dinner and the services on Saturday and Sunday.

It was such a blessing to meet Jon and Sarah and their children. They both share a strong passion for missions and a deep conviction to minister, plant churches, and form relationships with the people in Japan. It was so encouraging to meet a couple that is so Kingdom minded. They are faithfully serving God in Japan, but are just as eager and excited to hear what He is doing at New Life and in our Presbytery. In one of his presentations Jon explained that their plan for ministering to the Japanese people takes place primarily through forming relationships and raising up people and communities to plant churches and reach out to others around them. If you would like more information about the Pfeils and their ministry, please pick up a copy of their prayer letter in the magazine racks in the foyer.

Thank you so much to everyone who helped make the conference this year possible. There were so many people that donated their time and resources to help with the dinner on Friday and the service and desserts on Saturday. Many of our high school and college students

volunteered their time and

resources to prepare food, decorate the church, and participate in various parts of the service. We had several volunteers who read scripture verses in foreign languages, and Jason Leist gave an incredible message on the need for missions and a charge to respond to our call to serve the Kingdom on a global level.

Throughout the conference we were reminded that we have a calling to serve God and reach out to the lost all around us. We heard about several missions trip opportunities such as Campus Crusade working in East Asia and New Life’s trip to Mexico this coming July. God uses these trips not only to reach out to the lost in other areas, but to strengthen the church and our relationship with Him. I have been extremely blessed through the missions trips I have gone on in the past. They are visual and physical reminders that God is in control and that He is my strength, and not only that but they are unique experiences that bind you together with the people you share them with. If you have a desire to see the Kingdom grow and become more connected and involved at New Life, coming on the missions trip is an incredible opportunity that cannot be passed up.

Overall, it was an extremely encouraging week serving and focusing on missions and all that God is doing. Throughout Jason’s message on Saturday night and Chris Sarver’s message on Sunday we were charged to support missions and be willing to serve the church and our Christian Body around the world. There is really nothing I can add to what we heard other than to encourage all of you to experience the joy, excitement, and growth that come from getting involved in our call to missions. To quote Spurgeon once again, “Forward! In God’s name, FORWARD!”

In Him,

Adam