OMF Conference (Redwood City, CA) April 25-26, 2008

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, “Here am I. Send me!’ “ {Isaiah 9:6}

Invitation – OMF Mission Conference in Redwood City (April 25-26, 2008)

Theme: “Glorifying God in Beijing and Beyond!”

Register a group from your church or mission team today.

Please download and print the attached brochure and group registration form on our web site

Conference web site: www.us.omf.org/northwest

Conference Inquiries: Dick Andrews 1.866.500.1248

Registration:

Adult: $48
Student/senior: $38
Adult Group (5 or more persons): $33/person
Church Youth Group (any size): $45
Early registration due date: April 15 (subtract $5 from registration fee – discount)

Plenary Speakers:

Dr. Patrick Fung – OMF General Director (Singapore)
Tony Lambert – OMF Director of China Research (UK)

Children’s Program: Win Our World children’s program with visiting missionaries.

Location: Peninsula Covenant Church in Redwood City, CA .

Conference inquiries: Dick Andrews dandrews@omf.org or 866.500.1248

Workshops:

Christ’s Hands Reaching God’s World Prayer and Missions
Dr. Patrick Fung, General Director OMF

BridgeAsia Volunteers: Joining God-Right where you live to Reach East Asia
Mark Bradley, U.S. Mobilization Director OMF

International Information Technology (IT) Opportunities
Ian Jeffery, International Information Technology Operations

Mainland China Challenges Understanding Christ’s Complex Church in China
Tony Lambert, OMF Director of China Research (Also in Mandarin)

Reaching Amdo Tibetans (Tibetan Buddhism)
Experienced developmental workers

Mainland Chinese Returnee Challenges
Andrew Wang, CEFOCM Staff (Also in Mandarin)

Integrated Community Development in China with MSI Professional Services
MSI staff (Also in Mandarin)

Preparation of Workers
Preparing yourself and your family for cross-cultural field work
Drs. David & Lara Narita, OMF medical doctors in Cambodia

Spiritual Warfare: Abuses and Deliverance
Avril Vavrosky, OMF International

Worship program led by the Berkeley Covenant Church worship team.

WE NEED TO TALK: A Conversation about Homosexuality & the Asian American Christian Church (May 10 – Evergreen Baptist Church, Los Angeles)

Today’s Asian American Christian church seems to have unofficially adopted the military’s slogan of “don’t ask, don’t tell” when it comes to the issue of sexual orientation. This discussion will be an attempt to break that silence, to explore the truths that are revealed in the personal stories of gay Christians and their families. Their struggles, their searches for a place amongst fellow believers, might sharpen our picture of who we are as a faith community and how Jesus might be calling us to compassionately respond.

Three old friends – two straight and one gay – will engage in a conversation that needs to happen more often in order to dispel ignorance, quell fear and hatred, and foster greater understanding. Debate about scriptural interpretation or scientific evidence is not within the scope of this dialogue. It is not our intent to resolve this highly complex issue. Though we may ultimately arrive at different conclusions, at the very least, we need to break the awful silence in our churches surrounding this subject. We really need to talk.

If you have a friend or loved one who is gay, or you are gay yourself, or you are a Christian who is concerned about this issue, please join us in this much needed and long-awaited dialogue. Please remember that this will be about fostering a conversation, not conversion.

DATE: Saturday, May 10, 2008
TIME: 7:00-9:30pm
PLACE: Evergreen Baptist Church of Los Angeles
1255 San Gabriel Blvd.
Rosemead, CA 91770

For more info, call (626) 280-0477
For directions to EBCLA, go to www.ebcla.org

Planning Committee Members:
Bill Watanabe, (Evergreen Baptist Church of San Gabriel Valley), CSI Organizer
Ken Fong, (Evergreen Baptist Church of Los Angeles)
Marian Sunabe, (Evergreen Baptist Church of Los Angeles)
Bonnie Tang, (Evergreen Baptist Church of Los Angeles)
Amy Phillips Kushigemachi (Gardena Valley Baptist Church)
Scott Kushigemachi (Gardena Valley Baptist Church)
Derek Li (Evergreen Baptist Church of Los Angeles)
Yosh Fukumoto (Evergreen Baptist Church of San Gabriel Valley)

Churches listed above are not official sponsors of this forum.

This forum is being sponsored by the Christian Social Issues (CSI) group, an informal gathering of Asian American Christians who have been meeting bi-monthly for the past 14 months to discuss wide-ranging social issues and how they relate to our Christian faith.

Doing Justice Conference (May 9-10, 2008) – Pleasant Hill, CA

Doing Justice Conference
Friday Night (6:30 pm – 9:30 pm) – Saturday (8 am – 3:30 pm)
May 9 and 10

Hope Center (corner of Morello and Taylor in Pleasant Hill)
Sponsored by The Renewal Project

Does justice matter to the God of justice?  Will the world take our message more seriously when we identify with, advocate for — and care for — the widow and the orphan, the sick and the imprisoned, the poor and the oppressed and the alien in the land?  As God’s Word commands us …  Beyond partisanship, beyond politics as usual, and beyond the tired old polarities (evangelism vs. social concern, believing vs. obeying, preaching the gospel vs. demonstrating the gospel).  This is our commitment as we come together as followers of Jesus — for a serious consideration of God’s call to selfless, transformational living.

Here are the Top Ten Reasons why you should come …

10. Doing Justice is suddenly a hot topic — American Evangelical Christianity has recently re-discovered this ancient biblical theme, and we’re ready to do something about it! (see Exodus 20-22; Leviticus 19; Isaiah 59; Amos 5; Micah 6; Matthew 5; Luke 11; James 2; I Peter 2-4; Revelation 18-22)

9. Keynote Speaker Gary Haugen is the dynamic founder and president of International Justice Mission, a former US Justice Department attorney and the lead investigator for the United Nations after the Rwanda genocide.  Gary speaks to this urgent priority on national television and talk radio, before governmental committees, and at significant leadership gatherings.  IJM Staff will lead a workshop on opportunities for global partnership for the purpose of Doing Justice in Jesus’ name.

8. Keynote Speaker Mark Labberton is senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, and author of The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God’s Call to Justice.  Mark is a brilliant communicator with a warm pastor’s heart — who is now leading his church in taking bold initiatives that mobilize his congregation, bless the local community and instill passion for sacrificial service.

7. Worship Leader Justin McRoberts is a local boy become nationally-known performing artist with a wonderful sensitivity and a strong interest in seeing justice done.  He tours constantly with his artist-wife Amy and recently released his latest CD — Deconstruction — which is incredible (his music is a cross between Bono and James Taylor, somebody said).  Plus, Justin has assembled an all-star band to help escort us into the Presence of Christ.

6. Conference MC Ricky Jenkins is pastor of Emmanuel Church of Christ (Holiness) in Oakland and director of the Interfaith Council on Worker Justice (he will lead a Workshop on this issue).  Pastor Ricky is a young, energetic, exceedingly bright spiritual leader with widespread influence in the East Bay.  His charisma awakens people to God’s concerns for the needs of diverse communities.

5. Workshop Leader Dr. Theogene Rutasingwa is a medical doctor with a background in international diplomacy, previously serving as Chief of Staff for President Kagame of Rwanda and also as his country’s ambassador to the US.  He now lives here in the Bay Area with his family and works for a global HIV/AIDS assistance project.  This gentle man conveys deep conviction borne of a fresh faith in the difference that Jesus can make in the worst of circumstances.

4. Workshop Leader Walter Contreras is the national director of Hispanic Ministries for the Evangelical Covenant Church of America.  Walter is from Argentina and is a leading advocate for the rights of immigrants, and a voice of wisdom and compassion educating the church on this polarizing issue.  He is also one of the most humble and loving men you will ever meet.

3. Workshop Leader Randy Roth is executive director of Faith Network of the East Bay, an organization that works directly with a growing number of public schools and local churches to facilitate strategic partnerships that benefit the children and their families, as well as the staff and teachers of low-income schools.  Randy is a former pastor and now highly respected for his gift at connecting and encouraging other pastors and community leaders for a great cause.

3. Workshop Leader Tom Patitucci is pastor for justice and mercy ministries at Hope Center and counted on as a catalyst for multi -church outreach into Bay Area communities.  Tom has a huge heart for those living on the margins and will rally us to consider our part in representing Christ where the need is greatest. (yes, that’s two #3s)

Can you believe these workshops?!

2. Believers from different churches, denominations, cultural backgrounds and communities will be attending Doing Justice. Every year at this Doing Church Conference we get to meet some of the most fascinating people, that we knew nothing about until we gathered because of  our shared commitment to Christ and His mission in our world.  What a delight!

1. Church Groups and Ministry Teams will get to spend time together in guided conversation around these engaging concerns. Embedded in the conference are opportunities to discuss what we are learning and feeling and convicted to do.  There is an intentional, experiential component to this unique weekend — adding value to an abundance of exhortation.

Not to mention …

• Hope Center, a fabulous venue for this year’s conference (with their new expanded facilities and knack for hospitality)
• The Valley Pastors from “The Church Without Shoes” (committed to serving one another as Jesus taught us)
• Helpful Resources related to Doing Justice (available for purchase and for free)
• Sweet Desserts, a delicious Lunch, and plenty of tasty Refreshments (all worth highlighting)
• Equipping us for Conversations on these Timely Topics with those who are not-yet-Christians

(fearless, gracious, intelligent conversations)
Are you convinced that you must be there??!! The best deal is still the group rate that invites you to bring up to 30 people from your church/ministry for only $995 (plus $10 each for lunch).  The individual rate is $50/person (plus $10 for lunch).  Please go to www.renewalproject.org to register.  Or call (925) 947-1490 for more information.

Hope to see you there!  This weekend will be amazing (… and then you get to honor your beautiful Mom the next day).

Doug

Doug Stevens
Interim Senior Pastor,
Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church
Executive Director,
The Renewal Project, Inc.
1717 N. California Blvd. Ste. 3D
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
(925) 947-1490
trpinc@pacbell.net
www.renewalproject.org

Pastoral Convening at Grace Urban Ministries – San Francisco (May 3, 2008)

Immigration: Through an Ecclesiological Lens
A Pastoral Convening of Grace Urban Ministries
May 3, 2008, San Francisco, CA

What is the Church’s role in the face of today’s contentious immigration situation? The public debate remains ideologically-driven, pitting “amnesty” versus “enforcement,” while the immigrant community continues to experience increasing anti-immigrant slander, workplace raids and arrests, family-splitting deportations, and the detainment of tens of thousands across the country. All recent legislative attempts at “comprehensive immigration reform” have stalled.

On Saturday, May 3, 2008, Grace Urban Ministries (GUM) will gather a group of Christian pastors and lay leaders to engage the current immigration crisis through our collective gospel lens, toward the end of embodying and proclaiming a greater hope. We each may differ on the specifics of immigration policy, but together we shall pursue what the Church is called to be in these days. Theological reflection can lead us to better questions: What is the relationship between national and kingdom citizenship? Human law versus God’s law? A nation’s right to protect its borders versus the ecclesial call to “welcome the stranger in our midst?”

Such reflection is needed for the Church to more confidently analyze, and speak prophetically to, the immigration issue, particularly the larger structural dimensions (and underlying ideologies & idolatries) that remain unexamined. An invigorated ecclesiology is needed to embolden the Church to live out of its baptismal identity, amidst a society where true humanness is aggressively being contested.

GUM has invited Professor Mike Budde, Chair of the De Paul University’s Department of Political Science, who brings a unique combination of ecclesiology and political science that will help us engage immigration theologically and pastorally, with implications for congregational discipleship. We ask your prayers, that our ecclesial solidarity in Christ will be fostered as we spend time in the scriptures and in fellowship with one another.

For more information about this convening, you may contact Craig Wong, executive director, at (415) 703-6094 ext 16 or cwong@gum.org. For general information about GUM and its ministries, visit our website at www.gum.org.