American Missionary Fellowship’s
Tri-Regional Conference
Carson Springs, TN
October 1-5
“Strengthening and Expanding Our Missionary Family”
Sunday-Mike Hartley drove us to the DFW Airport. This was Jacey’s first time to fly. It seemed like once we got settled into our plane, they announced that we would soon have to switch planes due to mechanical difficulties. Jacey did a great job with the transition. On both flights we were able to put her in her carseat (plane seat) attached to an empty chair. She slept all the way. Pastor Mark Abernathy picked us up and drove us to his home where we talked with their family- Matt, Allison, and wife- Jane. We watched the Cowboy’s game until the TV Network changed from the Cowboys and St. Louis Rams when they where up by too many points!- we really enjoyed the encouraging conversations and fellowship shared with the Abernathy family.
Monday- The Abernarthys took us to Zaxby’s Chicken restaurant (I have wanted to go back since last year) for lunch and then we arrived at AMF’s Regional Conference. October 1st was my Dad’s Birthday so we were able to put him on speaker phone and Jacey tried to sing him “happy birthday.” Our first day of Conference involved several bear hugs and hand shakes from everyone that we met. There is an air of eager expectation in everyone’s conversations. Regional Conference is much like a big family reunion. This was the day for new introductions and old conversations. I am excited about this week.
Tuesday- Every morning after breakfast we split up into small groups for prayer and Bible study. Today’s Bible study (Eph 3:14-4:6) was very encouraging as we prayed for our supporters, Ministry Advisors, new missionaries, women’s ministry, and HQ staff. Lindsey and I attended a special luncheon for culturally diverse ministries. We then met with our Director of Ministry Resources (National Director), Regional Directors, Area Coordinator, and our fellow AMF Missionaries who we partnered with this summer through our Summer Missionary and STAR Missions ministries. There were 12 of us in all for this meeting. We evaluated and discussed our ministries and made plans for the future. It was a very productive and encouraging meeting. - Pastor Rich Cundall- Hessell Church, CA shared his lesson on “Down but Not Destroyed.” He dealt with the honest issues of discouragement and then finished by giving us steps of encouragement. Did I mention I was really encouraged by our Conference!?
His second session today was, “Leaving an Indelible Mark.” The lesson was based on Acts 9:32-43. He used some great illustrations and applied the scriptures directly to our lives- and ministries.
That evening I was introduced to PA- Missionary Sam Gordley. It was definitely a God- meeting. They are where we pray to be in 5-10 years. We are working on training up leaders to carry on our new ministries. The students leaders that they have built up over the years are now taking over the ministries they started. Not even knowing it- Sam and I stayed up talking until 11:30pm. The funny thing is that about the same time Sam and I started talking, Lindsey was going up to our room to put Jacey to bed- she met Tina, Sam’s wife! Please pray for their ministry to youth in the Lancaster, PA community.
Wednesday- We had another great Bible Study (Eph. 4:20-5:2) and Prayer time this morning. I was given the opportunity to moderate our group and really enjoyed the time. We are a part of about 7 meetings/sessions each day. Today was an especially busy time for us. After our Regional Meeting this afternoon I recruited several guys to play a basket ball game at the Recreation Center. It felt great to be able to stretch out the legs and sweat out some of the pressure brought on by the schedule. If you are wondering where Jacey was during the Conference, do not worry. I do not think she ever had to worry about her feet touching the ground. Everyone loved her beautiful Anderson eyes and gorgeous Hartley hair. She was a huge encouragement to everyone!
This evening we had a retirement ceremony for several AMF Missionaries. It was hard for me to believe that several of the men and women receiving awards had finally reached the “finish line” (even though they will remain very active in ministry.)
The Christian Fellowship that we are sharing at Conference seems to build every day.
Pastor Rich Cundall shared about, “The Annoyance and Adventure of Change” during his first session and “Mission Impossible?” his last session of the Conference. We really appreciated his lessons focused on strengthening and expanding our Mission Family.”
Later in the day Dan Curtis (AMF Missionary serving with his wife, Kay, in Guthrie, OK as pastor of five rural churches and camp director at Camp Joy- where we took 35 of our TFC and KFC Teens and Kids to camp this past summer) and I stayed up talking past 12:00 am. I did not think Dan had it in him to stay up that late, however I was the one wanting to get some sleep. We were able talk through our experiences at Camp and make plans for several summers to come. I grew up as a camper at Camp Joy and had a great time reminiscing times spent with the Curtis’ and their ministries.
Thursday-Pastor Rich started our session with the men by asking a few of us to help him pass out his lesson notes/fill in the blank. Before any one had a chance to lend a helping hand he tossed the fliers out across the room! His session topic, Man Friends, really hit home. He taught from Eccl 4:9-12 (The Benefit of Relationships) and Eph. 4:28-5:4 (Characteristics of Godly Friendships) and shared several personal stories of how “Man Friends” in his life/ministries had been a huge support for him.
Ed Lochmoeller led a session on recruiting. He had us split up into four large groups and discuss creative ways to reach second career adults, singles, college students, and people of different ethnicities-through recruitment. We are working on setting up internship opportunities in Dallas for Bible Colleges and Seminary students to join us in committed internships. Please pray for an increase in this area. I need several more “Lieutenants” in our ministries.
Friday-The hardest day of Conference for me is always Friday. Somehow you are suppose to sort through all the lessons learned, conversations shared, information received, and new friendships made and pick yourself out of bed early, pack up, and then head home. I am writing this final “journal” entry from Knoxville Airport’s boarding area. Lindsey just had a long conversation with a lady who was sitting next to her about our Conference. She is a Christian and grew up in Cedar Creek/Mabank area and went to Mesquite High School! Both of her sons are in the Marines and the one she was picking up from the airport was coming back from his honeymoon. She travels back and forth between Cedar Creek and Knoxville visiting family. We invited her to visit Cedar Creek Bible Church (one of our great partnering churches we work with here in Dallas). What a blessing it is to be available to God’s will.
I want to thank everyone of you who have prayed for us and ministries while we were in Carson Springs, TN. Our time at AMF’s Regional Conference was definitely worth it. We are already looking forward to next year.
Tri-Regional Conference
Carson Springs, TN
October 1-5
“Strengthening and Expanding Our Missionary Family”
Sunday-Mike Hartley drove us to the DFW Airport. This was Jacey’s first time to fly. It seemed like once we got settled into our plane, they announced that we would soon have to switch planes due to mechanical difficulties. Jacey did a great job with the transition. On both flights we were able to put her in her carseat (plane seat) attached to an empty chair. She slept all the way. Pastor Mark Abernathy picked us up and drove us to his home where we talked with their family- Matt, Allison, and wife- Jane. We watched the Cowboy’s game until the TV Network changed from the Cowboys and St. Louis Rams when they where up by too many points!- we really enjoyed the encouraging conversations and fellowship shared with the Abernathy family.
Monday- The Abernarthys took us to Zaxby’s Chicken restaurant (I have wanted to go back since last year) for lunch and then we arrived at AMF’s Regional Conference. October 1st was my Dad’s Birthday so we were able to put him on speaker phone and Jacey tried to sing him “happy birthday.” Our first day of Conference involved several bear hugs and hand shakes from everyone that we met. There is an air of eager expectation in everyone’s conversations. Regional Conference is much like a big family reunion. This was the day for new introductions and old conversations. I am excited about this week.
Tuesday- Every morning after breakfast we split up into small groups for prayer and Bible study. Today’s Bible study (Eph 3:14-4:6) was very encouraging as we prayed for our supporters, Ministry Advisors, new missionaries, women’s ministry, and HQ staff. Lindsey and I attended a special luncheon for culturally diverse ministries. We then met with our Director of Ministry Resources (National Director), Regional Directors, Area Coordinator, and our fellow AMF Missionaries who we partnered with this summer through our Summer Missionary and STAR Missions ministries. There were 12 of us in all for this meeting. We evaluated and discussed our ministries and made plans for the future. It was a very productive and encouraging meeting. - Pastor Rich Cundall- Hessell Church, CA shared his lesson on “Down but Not Destroyed.” He dealt with the honest issues of discouragement and then finished by giving us steps of encouragement. Did I mention I was really encouraged by our Conference!?
His second session today was, “Leaving an Indelible Mark.” The lesson was based on Acts 9:32-43. He used some great illustrations and applied the scriptures directly to our lives- and ministries.
That evening I was introduced to PA- Missionary Sam Gordley. It was definitely a God- meeting. They are where we pray to be in 5-10 years. We are working on training up leaders to carry on our new ministries. The students leaders that they have built up over the years are now taking over the ministries they started. Not even knowing it- Sam and I stayed up talking until 11:30pm. The funny thing is that about the same time Sam and I started talking, Lindsey was going up to our room to put Jacey to bed- she met Tina, Sam’s wife! Please pray for their ministry to youth in the Lancaster, PA community.
Wednesday- We had another great Bible Study (Eph. 4:20-5:2) and Prayer time this morning. I was given the opportunity to moderate our group and really enjoyed the time. We are a part of about 7 meetings/sessions each day. Today was an especially busy time for us. After our Regional Meeting this afternoon I recruited several guys to play a basket ball game at the Recreation Center. It felt great to be able to stretch out the legs and sweat out some of the pressure brought on by the schedule. If you are wondering where Jacey was during the Conference, do not worry. I do not think she ever had to worry about her feet touching the ground. Everyone loved her beautiful Anderson eyes and gorgeous Hartley hair. She was a huge encouragement to everyone!
This evening we had a retirement ceremony for several AMF Missionaries. It was hard for me to believe that several of the men and women receiving awards had finally reached the “finish line” (even though they will remain very active in ministry.)
The Christian Fellowship that we are sharing at Conference seems to build every day.
Pastor Rich Cundall shared about, “The Annoyance and Adventure of Change” during his first session and “Mission Impossible?” his last session of the Conference. We really appreciated his lessons focused on strengthening and expanding our Mission Family.”
Later in the day Dan Curtis (AMF Missionary serving with his wife, Kay, in Guthrie, OK as pastor of five rural churches and camp director at Camp Joy- where we took 35 of our TFC and KFC Teens and Kids to camp this past summer) and I stayed up talking past 12:00 am. I did not think Dan had it in him to stay up that late, however I was the one wanting to get some sleep. We were able talk through our experiences at Camp and make plans for several summers to come. I grew up as a camper at Camp Joy and had a great time reminiscing times spent with the Curtis’ and their ministries.
Thursday-Pastor Rich started our session with the men by asking a few of us to help him pass out his lesson notes/fill in the blank. Before any one had a chance to lend a helping hand he tossed the fliers out across the room! His session topic, Man Friends, really hit home. He taught from Eccl 4:9-12 (The Benefit of Relationships) and Eph. 4:28-5:4 (Characteristics of Godly Friendships) and shared several personal stories of how “Man Friends” in his life/ministries had been a huge support for him.
Ed Lochmoeller led a session on recruiting. He had us split up into four large groups and discuss creative ways to reach second career adults, singles, college students, and people of different ethnicities-through recruitment. We are working on setting up internship opportunities in Dallas for Bible Colleges and Seminary students to join us in committed internships. Please pray for an increase in this area. I need several more “Lieutenants” in our ministries.
Friday-The hardest day of Conference for me is always Friday. Somehow you are suppose to sort through all the lessons learned, conversations shared, information received, and new friendships made and pick yourself out of bed early, pack up, and then head home. I am writing this final “journal” entry from Knoxville Airport’s boarding area. Lindsey just had a long conversation with a lady who was sitting next to her about our Conference. She is a Christian and grew up in Cedar Creek/Mabank area and went to Mesquite High School! Both of her sons are in the Marines and the one she was picking up from the airport was coming back from his honeymoon. She travels back and forth between Cedar Creek and Knoxville visiting family. We invited her to visit Cedar Creek Bible Church (one of our great partnering churches we work with here in Dallas). What a blessing it is to be available to God’s will.
I want to thank everyone of you who have prayed for us and ministries while we were in Carson Springs, TN. Our time at AMF’s Regional Conference was definitely worth it. We are already looking forward to next year.
1 comment:
Jacey did wonderful! But she is still trying to recover from an exhausting week!
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