I am very excited about an upcoming meeting sponsored by the North American Mission Board for Southern Baptist Churches and leaders in the United States and Canada. Lord willing, on July 30-31, the SEND North America Conference will take place in Atlanta with the focus being on church planting. This is one of the most important events that NAMB has hosted since the agency’s reorganization in 1997. I have been told that a large number of people have already registered for this first-time event. If you are a Southern Baptist, I want to encourage you to be there.
I recently spoke with Aaron Coe, Vice President for Mobilization, with the North American Mission Board regarding this event.
What is the SEND North America Conference?
The Send North America Conference 2012 is a two-day experience designed for church planters, pastors, leaders, and others committed to penetrating lostness in North America. Learn and interact with relevant leaders, such as David Platt, Johnny Hunt, Louie Giglio, J. D. Greear, and Ed Stetzer during general sessions and tailored breakouts, with plenty of time and space for connecting, communicating and finding your place in the mission. The Send North America Conference will equip you for your next step in reaching North America through church planting.
Is this event only for state/Canadian convention leaders?
No. We really see this event being for anyone who wants to work together to reach North America through church planting.
In years past, I have attended the Summer State Leadership Meeting in Atlanta. How is this event different?
We really see this meeting bringing together three of the critical components in the effort to reach North America with the gospel. Those components are missionaries (church planters), churches (pastors, staff, lay leaders), and convention leaders. Our goal is to create environments where those three audiences can pray together, learn together, and ultimately partner together to penetrate the lostness that abounds in the United States and Canada.
What is NAMB’s desired outcome from this event?
The goal of NAMB in doing this event is to inspire and inform. We want to inspire leaders toward God’s heart for the lost in North America and we want to inform them of some of the practical tools that are available to help them accomplish the task. We have designed the conference for everyone to take their next step in the church planting process, regardless of where they are.
What should I expect during this event?
You should expect to learn from some of the best leaders the North American church has to offer. You should expect to have opportunities to network with others so that partnerships can arise. You should expect to understand, at a deep level, the Send North America strategy of the North American Mission Board. You should expect to have fun. We are planning a really special time together!
Thanks, Aaron, for sharing with us today!
I hope you can make it to this important event. Register now. For more information, check out the link to the conference site HERE and the registration site HERE.