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ME In Review

This year’s Missionary Enrichment conference, held July 16-20 on the Messiah College campus, was a special time of refreshment and inspiration during ABWE’s 80th anniversary year of worldwide service. The campus was buzzing with activity as furloughing, retired, and prefield missionaries all gathered in one place as ABWE family to fellowship, be encouraged, and receive training. A special 80th Anniversary Banquet was held in celebration of God’s faithfulness to the mission throughout many years. Praise God with us for His provision and blessing on yet another ME conference. Below are some highlights of the week.

International Guest Speakers

Since this year’s conference theme was “Glorifying God Among the Nations,” it was fitting that twelve of ABWE’s international partners served as guest speakers throughout the week. Each one gave glory to God for what He is doing in their part of the world and encouraged and inspired the ABWE missionary family. Some of the leaders have just recently begun to partner with ABWE on strategic initiatives in their countries. Others are the product of God’s work through ABWE, as they were saved as a result of missionary witness, grew up in ABWE church plants, and are now involved in places of leadership in their own churches and mission boards. All of these men and their wives have a passion for reaching their people and the peoples of the world with the gospel.

CMI Training Institute

During ME week, 272 missionaries attended various modules provided by the CMI Training Institute. Classes included Biblical Counseling, Chronological Bible Teaching, Fundamentals of TESOL, Good Soil Evangelism and Discipleship, Leadership Development, Photography, and more. One student commented, “As missionaries on foreign fields we are unaware of new concepts and resources. I appreciate the fact that we are kept updated on the training necessary for our changing world and how to be relevant to it.”

Pre-AMP

Twenty individuals joining the Assistant Missionary Program attended Pre-AMP, a time of training and orientation before they leave for the field on short-term assignments for six months to two years. These short-term missionaries will be serving in Togo, Portugal, East Asia, and the 10/40 Window. The training was collaborative effort between Jim Ruff (CEIM) and Terry Large (ABWE Mobilization). Some training topics included the spiritual life of the short-term missionary, teamwork, language acquisition, transition stress, cultural issues, missionary finance, and the relationship of the AMPer to missionaries and international believers.

Gracia Burnham: Ladies’ Luncheon

Jobeth Loftis hosted a Ladies’ Luncheon with the theme of “Treasure in Earthen Vessels.” Gracia Burnham, New Tribes missionary who endured a year of captivity in the Philippines spoke to the women about her experience. She shared from her heart about how God sustained her through a year of fear in the jungle and the grief of losing her husband. Gracia has a tender heart for other women and her words encouraged the room full of missionary women. After the luncheon Gracia took the time to sign books and personally meet the ABWE ladies.

Awards

For 30 years of service with ABWE, these missionaries received the Bomm Award: Alice Payne, Muriel Waite, Richard and Mavis Buck and Dave and Doris Totman. Presidential Citations were given to these men and women: Dr. Robert and Lynn Trout, Rev. Norman and Evelyn Nicklas, and Dr. Robert Hunter. Special video biographies were shown that documented the lives of these long-time servants. When given the opportunity to say a few words, many of the award recipients offered words of encouragement for ABWE missionaries who are just beginning their journey. One prefield couple commented, “We really enjoyed getting to talk to a number of older missionaries who had been on the field for 30, 40, or 50 years. We were encouraged as we listened to their stories and heard them say that they wish they had another 50 years to continue doing the same things.”

MK Ministry – Teens

Sixty MK teens spent the week laughing, worshiping, and learning together at ME. The theme for the week was “Are you afraid of the dark?” Jeff Stimpson, keynote speaker, challenged the teens to be a light in the world and to not fear the powers of darkness. A special aspect of the teen program is that it is entirely MK led. PJ Collins and Holly Ford coordinated the program, Ivan Bautista led the worship times, and other college-aged MKs served as counselors and small group leaders for the teens.

MK Ministry – Children

Sixty-one missionary kids from around the world met at ME. Under the leadership of Jim and Susan Cook, Directors of ABWE Next Generation Ministries. Teaching revolved around the theme of “Game Day Central: Exploring True Heroes from Scripture.” One keynote speaker, Dr. Michael Loftis, urged the MKs to become KMs (kid missionaries). He also told them his office was open to them anytime, they did not have to make an appointment and they should his secretary, “I am an ABWE missionary kid and the president is expecting me.” About 25 kids volunteered to become KMs.