Mission Alive 2005 energizes Brethren for mission.

Mission Alive 2005, a conference "designed to energize and equip members of the Church of the Brethren to faithfully share Christ's love with the world," took place in Goshen, Ind., April 1-3. With over 320 participants, the first-ever national Church of the Brethren mission conference gathered Brethren from 21 of the 23 districts. The General Board's Global Mission Partnerships was the lead sponsor, but planners emphasized widespread participation in service or funding from individuals, congregations, and denominational groups that in the end helped make the conference successful, according to the Global Mission Partnerships Office.

The conference opened with a worship message by Nathan Showalter focused on "The Biblical Face of Mission." Showalter, director of Community Center Shanghai and country strategist China with Eastern Mennonite Mission, spoke of a paradigm shift that has taken place in the mission field in the last few years. "The 500-year-long missionary era that began when Christopher Columbus `discovered' the New World is over," stated Showalter. He said that in the past, the focus has been "missions" (what the church is doing), but the focus has now shifted to joining "God's mission," which transcends individual programs by various organizations.

Showalter joined Art McPhee to give another worship message on "New Faces of Mission: Emerging Models." McPhee is associate professor of Mission and Intercultural Studies at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. The session highlighted stories from successful missions programs around the world. Many new missions programs are being started at the grassroots level by individuals rather than institutions, the speakers said. Technology also is changing the mission field, making it possible to reach people through nontraditional methods. Without the ability to love one's neighbor, the desire to lead someone to Christ and the methods by which someone is led to Christ can be misguided, McPhee said. "The Great Commandment must always precede the Great Commission."

A sweeping historical panorama of missions from the Roman era to the present was presented by Grace Holland, who with her husband, Fred, spent 23 years with Brethren in Christ World Missions in Zimbabwe and Zambia. She currently serves as chair of the same group. She warned that "keeping the treasure of Jesus Christ to ourselves could cost us our civilization." Annual Conference moderator Jim Hardenbrook encouraged participants to "Go, see, and love," in a sermon entitled, "Setting Your Face...Toward Mission: Accepting the Challenge, and Going Forth to Serve!"

In a panel discussion, Brethren speakers answered the question, "What distinctive gifts, or weaknesses, does the Church of the Brethren bring to mission from its Anabaptist-Pietist identity?" Brethren emphasis on holistic mission was a natural outcome of this heritage, according to some presenters. Bradley Bohrer, pastor of Brook Park (Ind.) Church of the Brethren and former Nigeria mission staff, moderated the session. Other panel members were Jeff Bach, associate professor of Brethren and Historical Studies at Bethany Theological Seminary; Peggy Boshart, former mission staff in the Dominican Republic; Merv Keeney, executive director of Global Mission Partnerships; Suely Inhauser, national co-director for the Church of the Brethren Brazil mission; and J. Roger Schrock, pastor of Cabool (Mo.) Church of the Brethren and former denominational mission executive.

An offering for new mission ventures received $13,231.03 for the General Board's Emerging Global Mission Fund, including special gifts from congregations.

Members of the steering committee reported that evaluations were overwhelmingly positive. "I felt a strong sense of unity and positive energy," noted Larry Dentler. "Many participants anticipated this event to be the beginning of a series of mission conferences," added Carol Spicher Waggy. The steering committee also included James F. Myer, Carolyn Schrock, and Keeney.

For more information about the General Board's mission programs, contact Janis Pyle, coordinator for Mission Connections, at jpyle_gb@brethren.org or call 800-323-8039 ext. 227.

Source: 4/13/2005 Newsline
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