The 2022 Missions Lifeline Conference, held on August 12th, at Calvary Baptist Church in Greenfield was filled to the top with missionaries, stories, and a lot of practical takeaways! The International Mission Board showed up in full force with Dr. D. Ray Davis, the Manager of Church Mobilization, Dr. Amanda Davis, the Director of Globalization, as well as, Dr. Nick and Carrie Walburn, IMB Missionaries to Mexico. There were breakout conferences, for adults, on many subjects throughout the day. The Americas Area Directors for Send Relief, David and Jo Brown, came to update us on the work being done with Refugees, opening the eyes of all who attended in new ways. The subject of church revitalization was highlighted in a breakout conference led by Chris Kellermeyer who serves as the Associational Mission Strategist for the Crossroads Baptist Association. Chris Conrades, our current Indiana WMU President and Allison Kinion gave participants ideas on how to do missions throughout every stage of life! Dr. Ryan Strother, SCBI’s new Executive Director, in partnership with D. Ray Davis, led a conference that informed everyone of how churches can get more of their members on the mission field with the IMB. A fun team consisting of Leah Pratt, Dr. Ryan Strother, and Chris Conrades led in worship throughout the day!
This year marked the first student ministry track held during Missions Lifeline. A team of student leaders from Hope Community Church in Brownsburg led youth groups in attendance through an immersive refugee experience while learning about what they could do to impact this crisis. They heard from our Send Relief missionaries about what Southern Baptists are doing to meet needs and reach those struggling as refugees. The Preschoolers and Children at the conference this year got a real taste of the Philippines, as they participate in a special mini-missions camp. An amazing children’s ministry team from Calvary Baptist Church in Seymour came and led the children in games, crafts, missions stories and even some food tasting activities. Our IMB missionaries shared with the children what life in their country is like as a missionary. Families had the chance to walk around an exhibit area, put on by Indiana WMU, where they could get creative missions outreach ideas for every season of the year from backpacks for foster children to fun ways to promote the Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong special offerings. Five churches who came won a year’s worth of missions curriculum they will be able to incorporate into their church plan for this year. Missions Lifeline was an incredible time of inspiration, motivating all ages toward the great commission. Will you plan to attend next year? Start making plans now to bring your church!