Annual District Conference of Eastern PA District of the C&MA
When: Thur, Oct 17 - Sat, Oct 19
Where: Kalahari Resort (Poconos area, PA)
What: Annual District Conference
Who: Eastern PA District regions of the Christian & Missionary Alliance
Why: Encourage leaders, Seek vision from the Lord, Pray, praise & worship the Lord
Angela Hess: “This past Thursday through Saturday, we spent an important time together with over 300 Alliance pastors, church leaders, and their families, seeking and setting a vision for the 89 Christian and missionary Alliance Churches in the eastern Pennsylvania district.
We spent a great deal of time in prayer. We spent time breaking into our regional areas seeking what the Lord would have for his church. We collaborated together and communicated our hearts to one another. We came up with practical ways to authentically help foster discipleship in our church families.
This year Laurel held a special position as the Leader of the children's ministry for all the children who attended. She organized activities, games, crafts, guest speakers (EPAD international workers to share stories from the field), and generally - organizing the chaos of over 60 children ages 11 and under! There was a team of volunteers from FAC who helped: special thanks to Ron & Karen Stoufer, Mark & Cheryl Grossoehme, Regina & Emily Kalbfleisch, with additional support from teens, Kandi Lay, Angela Hess and Christian Volcy.
It was a privileged opportunity to minister to pastors and their wives by focusing special attention and love towards their children.
When we get together with other Church leadership, it very much feels like a large family reunion. The worship through song and raising of our hands is so meaningful. Our hearts were unified in praise before the throne of God. For me personally it’s such an incredible experience! There is always a moment or two where my eyes well up with tears in the middle of singing. It is a mountain top experience certainly, but every Sunday is a good Sunday when we get to sing praise our Lord and Savior.
It is encouraging and spurs our church leadership to keep running the race well, and to keep pointing our parishioners, attenders, and members to the face of Christ and to seek His presence in all we do. I had a wonderful time over conference. It is such a blessing to attend, one we do not take for granted. Thank you for your prayers and support for your staff at FAC. You are a blessing to us!