The 105th New Wilmington Mission Conference (NWMC) will be held at Westminster College July 24-30.

About 1,000 delegates and staff from 35 states and 30 countries will come together for a week of Bible study, spiritual enrichment, mission challenge, and Christian fellowship. It is estimated that another 1,000 regional residents will attend some portion of the conference. All events are free and open to anyone who wishes to attend.

The purpose of the conference is to deepen the missionary spirit in the church. Speakers will urge attendees to follow Jesus Christ more closely and lift up the call to take the good news of Jesus to those who have not heard or received it. Missionaries and leaders from more the global church will share some of the great things God is doing in the world and challenge participants to join in this mission calling.

The NWMC is unique in that it is an intergenerational and family conference; yet it is distinctively youth-focused and oriented. Evenings offer a particularly good time for a youth group to visit. Contact the conference office at (724) 946-9770 for arrangements.

NWMC began as a Presbyterian mission conference for young people in 1906. It has retained its Presbyterian roots and connections while promoting the broader Christian witness in the world.

The theme verse for the conference is 1 John 3:18: "Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action."

The conference will open Saturday, July 24, at 7:45 p.m. in Anderson Amphitheater with Veeda Javaid, executive director of the Presbyterian Board of Education in Pakistan.

Two worship services are available Sunday morning at 11 a.m.: The Rev. Dr. Michael Parker, PCUSA world mission coordinator for international evangelism, will preach at the New Wilmington Presbyterian Church; and the Rev. Jennifer Haddox, associate director of World Mission Initiative at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, will speak at Anderson Amphitheater.

Missionaries and mission organizations will exhibit their displays Sunday in McKelvey Campus Center from 1:30-4:30 p.m.

The Rev. Saleem Ghubril, executive director of The Pittsburgh Promise and co-pastor of Mosaic Community Presbyterian Church, is the featured speaker for the week. Rev. Ghubril founded and directed The Pittsburgh Project for many years and is dedicated to youth and mission, two core values of the NWMC. He will speak Sunday at 7:45 p.m. and at the 11 a.m. meetings Monday through Friday.

All evening programs and speakers will be at 7:45 p.m. in Anderson Amphitheater:

Monday evening's speaker is the Rev. Manoj Shrestha, a convert from Hinduism who is a Nepali pastor and Ph.D. candidate at Princeton Theological Seminary.

NWMC will celebrate 50 years of sending out a Summer Service team of young adults to some place in the world for six weeks. This year's team of eight college students and their leader, Caitlin Rohrer, served in Egypt, where they shared in ministry opportunities with various partners. They will share their experiences Monday at 9:15 p.m. and Friday at 7:45 p.m.

Dr. Freddy El Baiady is scheduled Tuesday evening. He is founder and director of Salam Medical Center, a not-for-profit hospital in El-Qanatir Elkhaireya, Egypt, that serves the poorest people and works for religious reconciliation.

Wednesday evening will feature a Christian musician and speakers from central Asia. All missionaries will be recognized for their years of service and honored with the Summer Service participants at a reception following the evening meeting.

David M. Bailey, a 13-year brain cancer survivor and folksinger/songwriter, will present a concert Thursday evening. His story of hope and survival has inspired fans all over the world through more than 20 CDs, performances in 21 countries and 45 states, and numerous awards.

The Rev. Ralph Hawkins, pastor of New Wilmington Presbyterian Church, and Tim Becker, founder of the Ancient Christian Faith Initiative and Ph.D. student at Union Theological Seminary, will teach the adult Bible studies offered daily at 9 a.m.

The Rev. Bill Young, executive director of the Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship and former missionary, and Marilyn Borst, associate director for partnership development for The Outreach Foundation, will be the adult mission leaders at 10 a.m. each day.

The college-age group will be led in daily Bible by Ronee Christy, chair of the NWMC Board of Managers and director of Christian education at New Wilmington Presbyterian Church. Mission study will be led by Rob Ramey, founding director of Shelters Affordable for Everyone (S.A.F.E.), who combines ministry and carpentry.

Kyle Joachim, Fuller Theological Seminary student and former missionary to Kurdish refugees in Germany, will lead the high school Bible study.

For the complete schedule of speakers and locations or to register, visit www.NWMCmission.org or call the NWMC office at (724) 946-9770.

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