GMC 2013 – Network
magazine
“Switching Tracks:
How God Used a Missions Conference to Change My Life”
By Melissa Kelley
Heading into 2010’s PCA Global Missions Conference in
Atlanta, Julie Stout was unsure of her career, her calling, or her future.
The 33-year-old Gainesville, Fla., healthcare professional
had recently exited a long-term abusive relationship that left her spiritually
and emotionally depleted. Though she had felt a tug toward missions since
childhood, it took a pointed challenge from her church missions chairman to
move her to action. “He said he could see in me a strong desire for missions—so
much so that he insisted that I attend the PCA Global Missions Conference in
Atlanta at the church’s expense,” said Julie.
It was a worthy investment.
A Providential
Encounter
The first person Julie met as she walked into the conference hall was
missionary Dal Stanton, MTW’s team leader in Bulgaria. And that conversation
set the stage for a vision trip Julie took to Bulgaria in 2012, where her eyes
were opened to the vast needs of victims of sex trafficking. She is now
itinerating and raising support to serve as a long-term missionary with the
“Daughters of Bulgaria” ministry in Sofia.
“I have a strong desire to work with abused women based on my
past,” said Julie. “It’s hard to get out of that dynamic without help. I can
understand it because I’ve been through it myself.” When Julie leaves for the
field in 2014, she’ll have completed her degree in counseling, allowing her to
provide free counseling services to women transitioning out of abuse and sex
trafficking.
Julie freely admits that she didn’t expect to come out of
the PCA Global Missions Conference with such a clear vision for her future. “I
thought I’d just be getting some general information,” she said. But God often
surprises us in the way He works.
2013 PCA Global
Missions Conference Travels to Greenville, S.C.
Julie’s story may not be typical, but it represents the
power present when thousands of believers gather in Christ’s name to seek His
face and reflect on His work around the world.
The 2013 Global Missions Conference will be held in Greenville, S.C. Co-sponsored by MTW and Reformed University
Fellowship (RUF), the November 8-10 conference will welcome all who are
interested in missions, including missionaries, students, musicians, pastors,
artists, Christian leaders, businesspeople, youth workers, doctors, and teachers.
MTW and RUF look forward to hosting some 1,000 college students at this year’s
conference.
Conference speakers will include noted apologist Ravi Zacharias, MTW
coordinator Paul Kooistra, RUF coordinator Rod Mays, Greek national pastor Glotis
Kantartzis, and Indelible Grace founder/RUF pastor Kevin Twit.
Come share the
excitement of God’s work at the 2013 PCA Global Missions Conference, November
8-10 in Greenville, S.C. Visit www.mtw.org for more details or to register. Early-bird registration applies
through July 31 and there is a discount for students and for groups of six or
more.
------------------------------
[Quotes from previous conference attendees to use as
mini-sidebars: ]
“I enjoyed the reports about where and how MTW is involved
with what God is doing. So often in our church we know only about the work of
the particular missionaries we support. To see more of God's work around the
world is energizing, encouraging, and glorious.”
--attendee Gail Trapp
“The weekend was such a blessing in that I was able to
establish stronger foundations with which to grow in my Christian community
back here on my college campus. I am thankful for the energy and encouragement
the Lord provided me through the teachings and interactions of the weekend.”
--Taylor Smith, college student
“Talking with missionaries I know and hearing missionaries
from around the world say, "We need help—please come help us if you
can," were the most influential and pivotal parts of the weekend.”
--attendee Brittany French
“The main sessions and talks were particularly good. It was
helpful, encouraging, and moving to hear and see the testimonies through the
videos and people—made missions very tangible.”
--attendee
“Singing praises to our God with other believers in such a
large room was a small taste of heaven.”
--attendee
SIDEBAR:
Mercy Ministries Pre-Conference
MTW will be hosting a Mercy Ministries Pre-Conference, beginning Thursday
evening November 7 and concluding Friday afternoon November 8. Philip Langford of International Justice Mission
(IJM), Africa, will highlight issues of justice both at home and throughout the
world. Sessions are designed to provide practical assistance to help us become the
hands and feet of the gospel. Find out more at www.mtw.org/gmc
.
