1F. & 1S. Finding and Applying God's Call on Your Life
Michele Nahra, upwardonline.com
"Lord, What do You want me to do?" You want to know what the next step is, and you want to do His will. The problem is, you're not sure! In this session, you will identify the seeds of passion that God has placed in your heart. What is it that makes you come alive? As you discover your passions, your path will soon become clear. Knowing who you are and what He has put inside is the first step to knowing where you are going.
2F. & 2S. Funding Your Life's Mission
Jay Link, Family Wealth Counseling
This workshop is specifically designed for those who either know they are or think they may be financially independent and able to underwrite some or all of their own ministry work. We will discuss creative strategies to eliminate all estate taxes on your accumulated possessions, to avoid capital gains taxes when you liquidate highly appreciated assets, to reduce your current income taxes while commonly increasing your personal cash flow — giving you much greater planning flexibility and leverage. Leaving your first career may happen sooner or with a lower level of wealth than you think to fulfill your calling to Kingdom work.
In preparation for this workshop, you may want to read Jay Link's powerful and helpful book, Family Wealth Counseling: Getting to the Heart of the Matter. Call toll free (888) 736-7201 to order.
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3F. & 3S. Removing the Fear of Fundraising — Personal Support Raising
Steve Shadrach, TheBodyBuilders
About half of the boomer generation will need to raise financial support to sponsor our missionary passions. Raising full or partial personal support for ministry has been quoted by missionary candidates as the biggest barrier to joining God's call to disciple the nations. It does not need to be a barrier. Just how hard is raising personal support for Christian service? What is the biblical basis for fundraising? Does God provide in this way? How does someone raise funds for ministry and missions work? Discover the range of resources available to make this part of the joy of the journey.
4F. (Friday) Women in Mission from a Women's Perspective
Kathy Hicks, Operation Mobilization
This will be an interactive workshop with a panel of Finisher women who have been-there-done-that. Come and hear about the issues these women faced and what they learned. Ask the questions that are on your heart.
After the session there will be women who are currrently in missions available for those who would like someone to question further or a small group to interact with.
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4S. (Saturday) Agency Member Care — Family Issues such as Elder/Child Care
Ralph Sauers, SIM
Most mission agencies spend significant attention to issues of "member" care. How are issues of maintaining the home front with responsibilities to your children, grandchildren and parents dealt with by missionaries and their mission agencies? If your kids are not yet out of school, what are your options? When do you have to say, "No, I can't go yet?" When do you say, "No, I can't stay here?"
5F & 5S. Sharing Christ Across Cultures
Jim West, Pocket Testament League
In one of his parting addresses the Lord said "You shall be my witnesses." By that he meant if you show up (with the Holy Spirit in you) you qualify. In what ways can we be effective in sharing Christ across cultural barriers — at home or abroad. Jim West is an accomplished speaker and practitioner on the subject to make you confident you can make a difference in the lives of many.
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6F. (Friday) Opportunities for Southern Baptists
Randy Rains, International Mission Board (IMB)
The Southern Baptists have an aggressive program to use "empty-nest" people(Singles and Couples) 50 and over in their "Masters" program. Your skills, interests, experience and passions can be beneficially used along side and existing work with other IMB missionaries. In this ministry model there is no need to raise funds.
6S. (Saturday) Opportunities for Methodists
Lauren Helveston, Mission Society For United Methodists
John Wesley brought to Protestantism a vision for world evangelism that continues to provide a biblically sound balance of spiritual and physical ministry.
The Mission Society for United Methodists seeks to assist those from all streams of the Methodist movement in clarifying God's call to mission service, in training and preparation, and in putting the gifts and graces of missionary candidates to work in expanding the kingdom of God.
Opportunities abound through MSUM, not only in the Mission Society's own ministry fields, but also in the thirty agencies with which we have ministry affiliations.
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7F. Bible Training Options While You Are Planning
Linda Henson, Bible Training Center for Pastors with Representatives from Columbia Bible College and Moody Graduate School.
What are some things you could be doing now to prepare for a career change in ministry? What do you need to know? What are the important questions you should be asking the agency you are considering and praying about? These and other issues to consider as you make a transition from the marketplace to ministry to assist you in having the next career be the time of your life.
7S. Opportunities in Education — Make the World Your Classroom
JuLee Davis, Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
This workshop gives an overview of Christian schools in the global context. Real opportunities for ministry happen. The openings for administrators, teachers, and other school support personnel short-term and for several years are explained. There will also be a discussion on the qualification, preparations for service, and the steps on how to get there from here!
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8F. Opportunities in "Restricted" Areas
Dr. Paul King, Pioneers
What is the attraction to go to an area that is restricted? These are precisely the areas many want to serve. What kind of service options are available to make a kingdom impact in a so-called "closed country?" This workshop will include a panel from several mission agencies to tell of opportunities to serve among people where tourists do not tread.
8S. Opportunities in Technical Fields
Ralph Dawson, MAF
Have you ever thought God couldn't use the skill you have, although you know He gave these skills to you in the first place? If you have ANY technical skills, you are a fit for someplace in the world of missions. This session will be geared for those with just about any level of computer ability and people with construction know-how. Missions IS high-tech. You can be a part of keeping it that way.
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