The Annual Conference has proven to be an idea the Mission was ready for. The camaraderie and esprit de corps engendered there is especially gratifying to me. Interaction with other members of the family is a healthy reminder that we are not alone in our calling. In fact, there is not another experience within our ranks that will give us a better view of the big picture which our individual ministries go together to construct. We are in this together and the Annual Conference punctuates that reality in marvelous fashion.
But the Annual Conference is so much more than just a group hug. It is a legitimate experience of continuing education. Superb workshop leaders draw deeply and give freely from their years of experience in their particular specialties. I sat beside a missionary last year who turned to me at the end of a workshop and said, “That is it! That is the key I have been searching for to unlock new possibilities for my ministry.” For that missionary, that workshop went beyond being educational. It was inspirational. And I will never forget the tone in his voice when he realized what he had just been handed.
I hasten to assure you, however, that while either the fellowship or the instruction would be worthy reasons for us to congregate as we do, neither of those functions of the Annual Conference outstrips the importance that the Spirit-endowed preaching of the Word plays in our time together. We lavish the conference with preaching that convicts, corrects, exhorts, directs, affirms and consoles. When we asked ourselves what one thing we could give our Mission Family that would help them the most, “Give them the Word” was the resounding answer. We all rely on it as our primary resource in ministering to others. To rely on it for our own needs is only reasonable. Nothing will do for us what fervent, expository preaching will do. There is a large dose of the very thing we need the most waiting for us at the Annual Conference.
I am so confident of these things that I can boldly appeal to you, “Please do not miss the 2008 Annual Conference.” You only have to attend to know that I am right. I look forward to seeing you there.