Delegate reflection

A youth’s perspective

Someone once asked me what the MB Conference was all about, and what they got was a snicker and a joke about “gray-hairs.” It was with that mentality that I went to my first MB convention in July. What I discovered was a wonderful experience that far exceeded my original expectations.

National conventions are about relationship: relationship with God and relationships with people. Sure you may sit through a couple of dry business sessions, but you get a wonderful opportunity to worship God and network with people. God really spoke to me through the awesome worship sessions, and through the inspiring stories told from across the country.

I met a lot of new people. In many a pastor, church delegate, and Conference board member I discovered people who genuinely cared for me.

Kevin Koop (left) with John Neufeld, director of Hearing the Call. Kevin has been part of Ministry Quest, a youth leadership development program of Hearing the Call.

Had I passed up the opportunity to go as a delegate to the MB convention in July, I would not have met these people. I would not have developed relationships that will last for decades to come. The opportunity for friendship building that the MB convention provides is something no youth, or MB church member, should pass up.

I know some people may not completely understand the Mennonite Brethren Conference on a denominational level, but I do know those people understand relationship and would jump at the opportunity to make new friends who come from a lot of different places and share the same denomination.

So in 2006 when your pastor mentions Gathering, and you jokingly nudge your buddy in the youth section and say “man, we should go to that convention,” take yourself up on that offer. You’ll be glad you did.

—Kevin Koop, delegate of Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon

A great instrument

Gathering 2004 was an awesome experience for me.

Being refreshed and renewed has left a passion to obey God by reaching out – meeting others at the crossroads of their life.

Sandy Duerksen, Fairview MB Church, St. Catharines, Ont.

Gathering 2004 was a great instrument and enlightenment tool to help me understand the internal working and beliefs of our denomination. I appreciated the unity and spirit that flowed throughout the convention, the wonderful folks we met, shared and prayed with.

As delegates, my husband Henry and I have been recharged, and Luke 5 is our inspiration to go fishing – for people!

—Sandy Duerksen, delegate from Fairview MB Church, St. Catharines, Ont.

Cool water

Gathering 2004 was a refreshing drink of cool water! I was intrigued by the promised “new format” and was not disappointed! Several highlights surface quickly . . .

• God’s love moved me to tears as we worshipped together Wednesday night under the leadership of Brian Doerksen. Worship first – business later – what a great idea! Doerksen’s talent is indeed incredible, but it was the LOVE of GOD ministering to us through the words and music that made this night so meaningful . . .
• Reggie McNeal’s high-energy, fast-paced, hard-driving examination of the current state of the North American church let me laugh louder than I have in months. It also cut through so many assumptions we have about how church “must” be done . . .
• Our Conference ministries inspired, blessed, and challenged me with stories of “God at work.” Their use of video, testimony, drama, and dialogue made what could be BORING reports, come to LIFE! God is at work here in Canada!
• Friday night’s “urban plunge” was a personal highlight. Forty of us boarded a yellow school bus for the drive into downtown Toronto for a “spiritual scavenger hunt.” What an eye-opening experience for a small-town boy like me! From being able to pray with a group of immigrant Muslim students from Bangladesh, to seeing the heart of Toronto’s gay district, to celebrating communion and worship in a downtown city park, I was moved by God’s heart and love for the city.

Mark Burch

The next “Gathering” will be in Calgary in 2006. I encourage you to plan to attend. If it’s anything like this year’s event, you will be inspired, rebuked, challenged, corrected and encouraged to dream bigger dreams and live on the edge with a radical risk-taking faith! Kudos to the planners and organizers! May your tribe increase!

—Mark Burch, pastor, Willow Park Church, Kelowna, B.C.