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98th New Wilmington Missionary Conference

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Posted on Monday, July 14, 2003

Missionary work is not outdated. That will be obvious to anyone attending the 98th New Wilmington Missionary Conference at Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA from July 26 - August 2. Over 1,000 delegates and staff will come together for a week of Bible study, spiritual enrichment, and Christian fellowship. It is estimated that at least that many more area residents will attend some portion of the conference. All meetings are open to anyone who wishes to attend.

The purpose of the conference is to deepen the missionary spirit in the church. Speakers will lift up the call to take the good news of Jesus Christ to those who have not heard or received it. Others will share some of the great things God is doing in the world and how the church is thriving in many places. Attendees will be challenged to devote themselves to this mission calling.

This year's theme is "Each should use whatever gift he has received to serve others" -
(1 Peter 4:10a).

The New Wilmington Missionary Conference (NWMC) is unique in that it is an intergenerational and family conference; yet it is distinctively and strongly youth-focused and oriented.

Each year NWMC sends out a Summer Service team of young adults some place in the world for seven weeks. This year eight college students and an adult leader are in Thailand teaching English as a means of sharing the Gospel. They will share their experiences on Friday night.

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 featured daily speaker is the Rev. Dr. Scott Sunquist, professor of world mission and evangelism at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Dr. Sunquist, who served eight years as a missionary in Singapore, has written extensively and is an exceptional communicator.

One of the speakers with local connections is the Rev. Tom Houston, who will be the high school Bible teacher. Prior to his move to New Concord, OH, Rev. Houston was the associate pastor at New Wilmington Presbyterian Church.

Other daily Bible teachers are Rev. Jerry Andrews of Glen Ellyn, IL; Rev. Dr. Charles Hambrick-Stowe of Pittsburgh; Scott Collins-Jones of Princeton, NJ; Rev. Eunice McGarrahan of Washington, DC; and Rev. Dr. Dan Merry of Pittsburgh.

Mission teachers include Rev. Tom Theriault of Solana Beach, CA; Rev. Dr. Jeff Ritchie of Franklin, TN; Rev. Dr. Michael Boyland of Fremont, CA; and Rev Harold Kurtz of Portland, OR.

International speakers are from Somalia, Malawi, Ghana, Mexico, Tajikistan, Vietnam, and Italy. Missionaries from over 20 countries will be telling of their work.

Sunday morning preachers are Rev. Saleem Ghubril of Pittsburgh; Rev. Yaqub Mohamed of Somalia; and Rev. Dr. Silas Ncozana of Malawi.

Evening speakers include the Director, Rev. Dr. Don Dawson; Dr. Sunquist; Rev. Dr. Dan Force of the Medical Benevolence Foundation; Barbara Busse, missionary to Central Asia; Rev. Dr. Marian McClure, Director of the Presbyterian Worldwide Ministries Division; a drama presentation; and the Summer Service team.

For the complete schedule of speakers and locations, check the website - www.NWMCmission.org. You may also call the NWMC office at 724-946-7195.