Breakouts
DR. BEN BIRDSONG
CHRIST CHURCH BIRMINGHAM
Uniting Together for Kingdom Work: How to Build Healthy Missions Partnerships in the Local Church
This breakout will help you and your church begin to process a strategy for missional partnerships both locally and globally. Through this collaborative session, your church will have the frameworks and foundations upon which you can take your missional engagement to the next level. Whether your church is just getting started in the world of missions or has been participating in missions for many years, this session is for you.
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Ben is Missions Minister at Christ Church Birmingham.
DAN MCKEE
GULF SHORES METHODIST CHURCH
Recovering the Missional Heart of Methodism
At its onset the Methodist movement was characterized by its focus on sharing the gospel and spreading scriptural holiness. There was a palpable zeal for saving souls, planting churches, and calling others to repentance and discipleship. What would it look like to recapture the spirit of the early Methodists? What are effective and fruitful churches doing today to promote healthy growth while also remaining true to their Wesleyan heritage? What can we learn from those who came before as we encounter the challenges of an increasingly secular, increasingly divided, and increasingly indifferent world?
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Dan is Executive Pastor at Gulf Shores Methodist Church.
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ANNA RUSSELL
BEESON DIVINITY SCHOOL
Encouraging and Equipping: Constructing pathways for women into ministry
We know that God calls women to participate in the ministries of the church in various ways, but the pathways for women into ministry are often not as clear cut as those for our brothers in Christ. What are some of the obstacles and challenges that keep women from following God’s call into ministry and how can we as shepherds and leaders help God-called women overcome those so they can flourish as ministers? How can we be intentional about encouraging God’s calling to ministry for women and equipping them as they step out in faith to follow that call?
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Anna is Director of the Center for Women in Ministry at Beeson Divinity School.
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PAULO LOPES
WORLD METHODIST EVANGELISM
Reconstructing Evangelism
Methodism at its best has always been focused on reaching people for Jesus. In this breakout, you'll explore the theological foundations for effective models for evangelism.
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Paulo is Director of Emerging Leadership at World Methodist Evangelism.​
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BRUCE BORING
WYCLIFFE BIBLE TRANSLATORS
Their Bibles are Blank: The Greatest Missions Story Never Told
Did you know there are over 1,200 language communities around the World, still waiting on the Bible in a language they can understand. Their Bibles are Blank. How do we fulfill the Great Commision? They have waited for over 2,000 years. No access to Jesus through His Word. Living in Darkness and Despair. Come learn how your Church can adopt one of the last remaining languages, then launch Word Giver Sunday at your Church this year, providing the Bible in a language they can understand. They are still waiting.
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Bruce is Regional Development Officer at Wycliffe Bible Translators.
REV. KEITH BOYETTE
GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH
What to Expect at the Convening Conference
The Convening Conference of the Global Methodist Church is a historic event that will take place later this year. But what exactly will happen at the Convening Conference? What can we expect? And what will be left to do later? This breakout will explore those questions and more.
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Rev. Keith Boyette is the Connectional Officer of the Global Methodist Church.
REV. MARY LYTLE
CHRIST CHURCH BIRMINGHAM
Discipling the Lonely: Spiritual Formation in a Digital Age
It's no secret that we are experiencing an epidemic of loneliness. If the COVID 19 Pandemic taught us anything, it is how desperately people long for connection and intentional community. Studies show that Gen Z is considered the loneliest generation ever. How can this be possible in an age where we can connect with people across the world through technology? In this breakout session we will explore what it might look like to foster intentional discipleship in our churches at a time of intense loneliness.
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Mary is Minister of Spiritual Formation at Christ Church Birmingham. She is a graduate of Asbury University and Asbury Theological Seminary.
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REV. BRADLEY EDWARDS
CHRIST CHURCH BIRMINGHAM
Reconstructing a Theology of Imagination in Youth Ministry
Explore how, amidst the challenges of division within the UMC and the impact of COVID-19 on youth ministry, we can find stability in our theological roots. Consider the power of storytelling as a means to pass on our theological heritage by captivating teenagers' imaginations. Don't miss this opportunity to reconstruct an active imagination that can communicate the ultimate story that Christ has died, risen, and will come again.
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Bradley is Associate Pastor and Student Minister at Christ Church Birmingham.
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MATTHEW WILSON
COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL
Bridging Local and Global Missions
Experience the transformative power of strategic partnerships as Compassion International invites you to explore how your church can effectively contribute to your city, nation, and the world through different mission opportunities. Join the conversation around the topic missions and ask: how do we bridge local and global?
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Matthew is Strategic Partnerships Manager at Compassion International.
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JOSH CALDWELL
RADICAL
Breakout: Engaging the whole church in the mission of making disciples of all nations
This session will discuss how to help all members in your church understand their role in the Great Commission. Learn practical ways to grow involvement in missions so it becomes not just a program, but the main mission of the church and every Christian. We will talk about the importance of prayer, education, and setting up a clear pathway for sending out missionaries. Let's work together to make the Great Commission a central focus of your church community.
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Josh is Senior Director of Global Operations at Radical.
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