M.E. Conference:
"Overcoming Obstacles"
The Jordan-Kline science building is characteristic of the well-kept and scenic Messiah College facilities. Copyright © 2006 ABWE, Inc.
The primary purpose for my mission trip was to help provide photographic support for ABWE and the 536 missionaries and dependents attending the Missionary Enrichment (M.E.) Conference. Five photographers converged on the scenic Messiah College campus in Grantham, PA:
L to R, Back to Front: me; Tom Kilpatrick, TN college photo instructor and international tour guide; James Dockery, NC photo studio and gift merchandizing owner; Jeff Raymond, ABWE staff photographer (our supervisor); and Rick Craige, PA photo studio owner. Copyright © 2006 Becky Raymond.
We were part of a well-oiled machine of 59 ABWE staff members, 23 volunteers, and 14 exhibitors who provided medical services, legal and financial consulting, training, and photographic services. Our responsibilities were to teach photo classes (Jeff & Tom), shoot portraits (Rick) and passport photos (me), and document every aspect of the conference (James, Tom, & me). During the week James, Tom, and I shot nearly 2,000 photos, the best of which James combined into a video presentation (http://store.abwe.org/detail.asp?product_id=AV-200) presented prior to the last session.
Dr. Stephen Davey, Senior Pastor of Colonial Baptist in Cary, NC (www.colonial.org) and radio host of Wisdom for the Heart (www.wisdomonline.org) challenged and inspired us in evening messages over the course of the week. Copyright © 2006 ABWE, Inc.
The annual M.E. Conference provides a balanced week of Bible preaching, inspiration, training, recreation, relaxation, and fellowship for ABWE missionaries, this year representing 48 countries. Two simultaneous tracks comprised this year's Conference: Missionary Enrichment Training Institute (ME-TI) and the Pre-AMP Seminar. (Assistant Missionary Program is for short term ABWE missionaries.) Leaving no one behind, there are parallel programs for teens & younger children.
Dr. Cheryl Irish makes a point during her Strategies for MK Educational Success ME-TI module. Copyright © 2006 ABWE, Inc.
While photographing several of the week-long ME-TI classes for adults, I had the good fortune to soak up information from many of the senior missionaries and published authors who presented these valuable modules:
- Biblical Counseling
- Chronological Bible Teaching
- Creation Science Evangelism
- Evangelism to Roman Catholics
- Fundamentals of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
- Logos Libronix Bible Software
- Masterplanning for Successful Building Projects
- Ministry Leadership
- Muslims & Their Religion (Islam)
- Photography
- Reaching Postmoderns
- Strategies for MK Educational Success
- Theological Education Curriculum Design
- Women’s Ministries
The youth program includes plenty of activities, but it isn’t just fun and games. There are also Bible studies, youth-oriented teaching/worship services, and team building exercises.
Youth team building activity demonstrates the conference theme: “Overcoming Obstacles.” Copyright © 2006 ABWE, Inc.
The Pre-AMP seminar would be valuable for every short term missionary. It overflows with practical information to help them prepare for and adjust to a foreign culture, language, and various aspects of missionary ministry. It covers
- Managing personal finances
- Security concerns
- Preparation for living overseas
- Health issues and preparation for them
- Adjusting to a new culture
- Overcoming cultural barriers in personal evangelism
- Resolving common ethical dilemmas
- Understanding yourself & your team members
- Relating (as a missionary) to national believers
- Simple language-learning techniques to acquire a foreign language