World Outreach Conference 2018
This past Tuesday - Thursday at Toccoa Falls College (February 6-8) students, faculty, staff, and missionaries from around the world gathered together to worship the goodness of our Creator, Jesus Christ. At Toccoa Falls College we believe that our Savior desires to be in relationship with people of all nations, all tongues and tribes. How wonderful a God we serve.
The theme of this year's conference was "I-am-N." What does that mean, you ask? The I-am-N website states this:
"In northern Iraq, radical Muslims (ISIS) spray-painted the Arabic letter ن, or “N,” on the homes and businesses of Christians. The property owners were publicly identified as Christ-followers and given a choice to convert to Islam, leave or die. The courageous believers refused to deny their faith, and more than 100,000 fled with little more than the clothes on their backs."
Together, we stood and worshiped with/for those being persecuted around the world for their faith in Jesus. On Tuesday, gathered in Grace Chapel, President of the U.S. Christian and Missionary Alliance, John Stumbo, shared a glimpse of the mighty work our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are taking part in all around the world. From Africa to Asia, Latin American regions to the Middle East, Europe and beyond, with over 22,000 churches, the name of our Lord and Savior is being high and lifted up. Tuesday evening a beautiful story of God's redemption, strength, provision, and comfort was shared as a story of a young woman’s conversation from Islam to Christianity touched the heart's of all. The international fair on Tuesday night was filled with scrumptious treats, henna tattoos, turban wrappings, Hmong dancing, and much more. With the selling of coffee, playing of games, and prayer for the nations the international fair was a lovely success.
Wednesday was filled with many more exciting opportunities such as community worship, And international dinner, the telling of stories from persecuted Christians around the world, communion, and an exile night experience.
TFC student and Talon writer, Emily Bundrick, shares her take on the Exile Night experience:
"Exile night was a very humbling experience. The night started with a special chapel service that told the stories of persecuted Christians and showed videos of things they had to deal with. There was also a special communion. Afterwards, everyone joined together in the lobby of Grace Chapel. The room was filled with tents, supplies, and was set up in a way that resembled a camp of persecuted Christians. Those who were a part of exile night were split into two groups led by TFC students, Reagan Paul and Andrew Wright. Once in groups, participants prayed before sharing stories of times in life they have felt persecuted and how they dealt with it. Once the discussions were finished, everyone wrote a journal entry expressing their feelings on the persecutions of Christians. Participants then wrote letters of encouragement to persecuted Christians followed by a powerful prayer over the letters and those who would receive them. Next, people got to experience what persecuted Christians were able to eat in a day, and many were shocked to find that their daily ration was the size of a small piece of an apple. The night was closed with a time of worship and prayer, and people left forever changed."
The World Outreach Conference ended on Thursday morning after Dr. Rick Kronk challenged participants to rejoice in the face of suffering knowing that Christ experienced ultimate suffering on our behalf. Although the 2018 World Outreach Conference has ended, our job as believers in Christ continues. As the semester carries on, let us not neglect praying for the persecuted church. Let us stand together proclaiming “I-am-N” no matter the cost.