Gulp! Now, I’m #theprayerguy!

May 4, 2017

By Doug Hazen
National Director for Mobilization Prayer, WorldVenture

I’ll probably never get over it.  I was in a room with my WorldVenture colleagues, discussing new strategies for helping people get on board with God’s work in the world.  We listed a couple of ideas and then God nudged me.  “Why don’t you just use my strategy… “Pray the Lord of the Harvest to send out workers into His harvest?”  I mentioned it and we all hung our heads.

Of course!  Prayer is the only true biblical strategy!  My boss pointed to me and essentially said, “Your role with WorldVenture has just changed.  Make prayer our strategy as an organization.”

Out of the Desert

May 4, 2017

By Wendy Morgan
Volunteer Coordinator, Mission ConneXion Northwest

Perhaps you have read my recent submission Praying Without Borders, perhaps not; but here is the rest of the story.

#TBTuesday: Praying Without Borders

April 4, 2017

By Wendy Morgan

(This article originally appeared in May 2016, as Wendy and Mission ConneXion looked forward to its first ever Prayer ConneXion.)

My story here is simple because, well, it’s just one piece of my story.

It was just a few years ago that I was attending Crossroads Community Church and Mission ConneXion Northwest was soon to be held there.  I was asked by Crossroads to serve as the lead registration volunteer.  Now, I was still pretty new to the area and had never heard of this organization, but I said yes; and by the end of the event, a “connexion” had been made!  I was asked to do the same for Mission ConneXion.

My attendance was sporadic at first.  Looking back, I suppose I came when I believed I was needed; but over time, I wanted to be there, wanted to be a part of this amazing organization.  It was a time and place where, regardless of the business at hand, the focus was always God first.  We opened in Scripture and prayer, we discussed needs and progress, we prayed often during the meetings as more difficult subjects emerged, and always concluded in prayer.  There was no need that was not met through prayer.

Eventually, the need for a new minute keeper arose; again, I was asked to step in.  I gladly said yes as this would definitely keep me coming.  God even gave me a job that allowed me to take the time to attend in the middle of the work day.  Funny thing, too, about taking notes – you pick up on a lot more details.  So, when it was mentioned that Mission ConneXion was planning a Prayer and Spiritual Warfare ConneXion for 2016, there I was taking notes, writing down the name of the speakers, where they were from, what their stories were, why they were selected.

You see, God had slowly been working on my heart in the area of prayer specifically.  I was sadly like many believers who believed we should pray, did pray some, but never truly grasped the depth of what prayer is – the power of and partnership with God Almighty.  This was something I knew was missing from my walk with the Lord.  So, I looked up the speakers and ordered No Easy Road by Dick Eastman.

This was about the same time that the movie War Room was playing in local theaters.  The message was clear – prayer is a powerful weapon and we must pray (I’m afraid my cup of coffee would have been lukewarm, too)!  So, my husband and I emptied a closet, literally, and made our war room.  About that time, the book arrived and we began reading and learning and, most importantly, praying.

I am thankful for the connection God gave me simply by saying “Yes, I’ll serve,” but there are not words enough to portray my gratitude to our Savior for bringing me to my knees and closer to His heart.  Oh, the joy inexplicable!   And my journey has only just begun…

Editor’s Note: Wendy has since served as our Registration Coordinator and now serves as the organization’s Volunteer Coordinator for the Mission ConneXion Northwest event. She will be one of the workshop instructors at this year’s Prayer ConneXion. Next month: Read Wendy’s recap of Prayer ConneXion 2016 (“Out of the Desert”) and learn how this conference impacted her and her prayer life.

 

Letters to the Editor – March 2017

February 27, 2017

What MCNW Has Meant to Me

I believe it was David Moore, currently working with Wycliffe in Indonesia, who introduced me to Mission ConneXion Northwest some years ago. Since then, I have attended over a dozen conferences. Each year I have come away with a heightened sense of the vastness and variety of the missions’ movement. I have been challenged, informed, and encouraged.

Besides the informative workshops, the motivating speakers, and the inspiring music, a side benefit is re-connecting with friends from years past. I especially look forward to speaking with representatives from Black Forest Academy where my wife and I spent three significant years.

A special blessing occurred when a former student of mine at Faith Bible High School, Laura Hewett, became a missionary teacher at Black Forest Academy. MCNW played a part in this as I remember Laura talking to a representative from BFA at MCNW.

I attend Laurel Community Church, where I serve as the Missions Deacon. We encourage our members to attend MCNW so they can realize the scope of Christian missions and the impact it has had and is having on the world.

Three things that I have learned at MCNW that have helped me are the following:

1. 1. God is at work today in some of the most difficult places in the world.
2. God can use whatever abilities a person has on the mission field.
3. God is at work in one of the least churched cities in America, our own Portland, Oregon.

Thank you, Bill and the many others, who continue to provide leadership for this modern day missionary endeavor.

Sincerely, Chuck Felton

 

First Women’s Track for Mission ConneXion Northwest

What an honor being invited to be a part of the first Women’s Track at Mission ConneXion Northwest! It was an easy decision when Wendy Palau called and asked me to be a part of this event, as I always look forward to opportunities to help encourage and support women in ministry. Little did I know the impact it would have on me. What a joy it has been to see Mission ConneXion grow throughout the years and continue to be forward thinking on how to steward the conference experience.

The challenge given to us was “Who is Able” and in Christ we are! Whatever the ministry or mission we feel called to has to be rooted in our identity in Christ. The Lord pressed on my heart the first track of this event should be encouragement in how to be rooted properly in our identity in Christ before we do anything.  The ministry we commit to does not define who we are; God does. What a great reminder in a world which suffers a real identity crisis.

I walked away from this weekend challenged. I was reminded to get up each morning and live the day God gives me, whatever that might look like. Live with great joy knowing that everything in our day matters, the big and the small.

I was also reminded that I am not alone. We have so many brothers and sisters in Christ who are committed to spreading the gospel and uniquely gifted in ways that I could never imagine. I loved seeing and meeting so many different ministry partners being used by God all across the world. I look forward to listening to the tracks that I could not attend, to be encouraged and equipped in my own walk with the Lord.

Psalm 145:3-7…

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds.

 I hope to see you next year!   ~Sheri Lozano

Editor’s Note: You can listen to and download Sheri’s session, entitled, “Ma’am, Can I See Your I.D?” here.

 

Thoughts on MCNW 2017

February 7, 2017

Written by Dr. Brent Strawsburg, Founder & President of Brent Strawsburg Apologetics

Words are not adequate to express my appreciation for Mission ConneXion Northwest. Every time we attend this conference the Lord really ministers to us personally—not only as we see people commit themselves to global missions but as He reminds us of His faithfulness in our lives. This past January was no exception!

As Mission ConneXion helps focus all of our attention on the global mandate of the Great Commission it’s vital to remember that the modern-day Christian in America lives in a mission field.

We live in a post-Christian culture

We live in a society that is increasingly hostile to our faith

People don’t have our values and, most importantly, don’t understand God’s message.

I travel to churches and conferences in California, the Pacific Northwest, and throughout the United States because defending the faith must be a part of the global commitment to share the Gospel. Far too many people from both inside and outside the church are turning away from Christianity. Too many non-Christians are not even considering the Christian faith. A growing number of Christians are disillusioned by their faith.

I’ve been honored to lead the Apologetics Track at Mission ConneXion for the past three years. This year, each of our four seminars were filled with a great cross section of people who were interested, engaged, and full of questions.

However, nothing prepared us for the response to our seminar on How to Talk to Skeptics. I still get chills as I think about what happened. Five minutes before the beginning of the seminar we were already filled to capacity (100 chairs). In the next ten minutes, people continued to pour into the room–people sat down in the middle aisle, on the sides, in front, on tables in the back, and crowded around the door. They just kept coming in—all eager to learn how to better connect with people outside the church.

As I stood in front of a group of 165 people I was reminded that so many Christians simply want the tools to accomplish what the Spirit is asking them to do—share their faith!

Every time we travel to the Pacific Northwest (whether it is to Mission ConneXion Northwest in January or Student ConneXion in November) we are encouraged how the Lord opens up doors to minister at different churches on the Sunday morning following the conference. We find that Christians are eager to receive practical and easy to understand answers to some of the great questions of our day:

• How to Disarm Doubt
• Why Does God Allow Evil & Suffering?
• Is Belief in God Reasonable?
• Can You Trust the Bible?
• Where is God When It Hurts?

We are tremendously grateful to Bill MacLeod for giving us the opportunity to assist churches in the Pacific Northwest to achieve the Great Commission.

 

How MY Journey Deepened after MCNW

February 7, 2017

Written by Anna K.

In January of 2013, I attended Mission ConneXion Northwest for the first time.  I knew God wanted me to be a missionary, and I was passionate about my call.

At the event I listened to several speakers who told their stories and delivered powerful messages, including Ravi Zacharias.  During the worship service God convicted me that I was more focused on ministry than on Him, and when the alter call was given, ironically I submitted to Jesus my dream of being a missionary.  And God was gracious to me!

At Mission ConneXion Northwest, I learned of a retreat called The Journey Deepens, and I felt led to attend.  During that weekend, God ministered to my heart during my devotional time, and as soon as I got home, I received a phone call from a colleague asking if I would be willing to do a short-term trip for children’s ministry in India.

While in India, I met a young evangelist named Amith.  Although I had met many people from all around the world, never before had I met any man who showed such passion and love for Jesus.  We became close, and as we prayed God began speaking to our hearts about His will for our relationship.  In June 2016 I returned to India to teach English, but Amith caused a change of plans by proposing!

We were married on November 30th of the same year and have been continually growing in joy and love with each other and with God.  Now we are serving as evangelists in India and hope God will bless us to serve Him in every nation.

“I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the Lord.”  Jeremiah 31:14