Multnomah
University's annual
Global Ministries Conference is an eventful time on campus, but this year it
goes further than just attending plenary sessions and workshops. On February 27, 2009, the 69th
annual conference will culminate in a school-wide student service project within
the Portland
community called A Day to Serve.
While the conference features many new additions, the service project provides
students an opportunity to put into practice what they learned throughout the
week-long event.
A Day to Serve
Organized by the Student World Outreach Team (SWOT) and
Seminary Grad Cabinet, A Day to Serve
is meant to help students develop a passion for various local ministries. Some
of the ministry opportunities will include working with the homeless, the Pregnancy Resource Center,
and children within the community. It is one of several new additions to this
year's conference, and Multnomah hopes to see students partner with organizations
for long-term service opportunities as a result.
The Conference
The five-day Global Ministries Conference is entitled "No
Reserves ~ No Retreats ~ No Regrets," based on a quote by William Borden, a man
famous for sacrificing everything for the sake of missionary work. Presentations
throughout the week will focus on what it means to live a life without
reserves, retreats, and regrets, by looking to examples from the past.
This year's conference will look different from the previous
68 conferences in many ways-new features will be added (like A Day to Serve), and
even familiar events will be given a new flavor.
Monday, February 23
Missionary
Appreciation Reception - Rub elbows with missionaries and hear firsthand
stories of life in the field. This event is an opportunity to honor them for
their work and self-sacrifice.
Tuesday, February 24
Real Life Stories
from the Field - Enjoy stories from around the world as missionaries share
what the Lord is doing in their corner of the globe.
Thursday, February 26
Focus on Culture
- Enjoy food, music, and stories from around the world, and explore other
cultures that have arrived at Multnomah through international students.
Friday, February 27
A
Day to Serve - Multnomah students will go out into the Portland community to practice what they've
been hearing about all week through local ministry.
Aside
from these special events, each day of the conference is packed with other features,
including:
- Dramatizations of the
lives of well-known missionaries such as Lottie Moon, Jim and Elisabeth
Elliot, William Borden, and Fanny Crosby.
- Workshop sessions taught
by mission reps, faculty from Multnomah and Western Seminary, and others
who specialize in missions.
- 24 tables, manned by
mission agency representatives prepared to answer questions and share
opportunities with visitors.
Quotes
"We
are excited about the changes introduced in this year's conference," said
Laurie Cardoza, office manager of Multnomah's Intercultural Studies Department
and primary organizer of the event. "Not only will the presentation of
missionaries and their work be more compelling, but the stories and past
examples will serve as practical models of ministry work that can be used
during our day of outreach."
"A
lot of time and strategy went into the enhancements we've applied to this year's
conference," Cardoza said. "We've tried to make everything about the event more
compelling, which I'm very exited about. Even more so, I'm excited that amazing
stories of history's most beloved missionaries can serve as practical examples
to be applied to our day of outreach. This will make ministry and missions work
vividly real to our students."
More Information
For
more information about the 69th annual Global Ministries Conference,
please contact Laurie Cardoza at 503.251.6426 or lcardoza@multnomah.edu, or visit the Global Ministries Conference page.
About Multnomah
Multnomah University is a fully accredited, private,
non-denominational, Christian institution of higher education, located in Portland, Oregon.
Made up of an undergraduate Bible college, a biblical seminary, a graduate
school, an adult degree completion program, and an online distance-learning
program, Multnomah issues bachelor's and master's degrees, and professional
certifications and endorsements.