Great Lakes Region chapters (Akron, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, Jamestown, Pittsburgh and Toledo) had a joint summer Bible conference (July 16-18, Bluffton University)

The conference was prepared through prayer meetings in each chapter from one to four weeks. The initial program outline was discussed at the regional meeting in Cleveland in June. The following are some of the highlights of the conference.

Clear messages with clarity in spirit and power. Jeff Gathergood (Columbus) delivered the opening message on God¡¯s Vision for Abraham (Genesis 15:1-21). God planted his vision for raising up descendants as numerous as stars in the sky. Abraham accepted and believed God¡¯s vision. Therefore, as Abraham, we must personally accept and believe God¡¯s vision for us. Sandy Muehling (Toledo) delivered the morning devotion message on ¡°Enlarge the Place of Your Tent¡± (Isaiah 54:1-8). To the people of Israel who felt helpless and hopeless, God commanded them to sing and shout for joy. God gave practical steps to enlarge their place of tent (i.e., approach our problems with God¡¯s hope), stretch their curtains wide (i.e., take practical steps), lengthen their cords (i.e., follow through with prayerful actions) and strengthen the stakes (i.e., strengthen our relationship with God and key people). God¡¯s promise is for their descendants to claim the cities and nations. Likewise, in our challenging situation we enlarge the place of our tent for Christ and his kingdom and prepare the hopeful future for us and for our children. Brian Karcher (Detroit) delivered the main message entitled ¡°Jesus Calls the Disciples: His Vision and Hope¡± (Mk 3:1-19). With the vision of God Jesus called his disciples to be with him. It was to send them out to preach and drive out demons. Jesus calls us as his disciples. This is Jesus¡¯ hope for us. As we accept Jesus¡¯ call to be the disciple-makers, we also participate in Jesus¡¯ vision for world salvation. Whit Cha (Cleveland) delivered the evening message on ¡°Visions and Dreams in the Last Days¡± (Acts 2:14-21). To fulfill God¡¯s vision for world salvation God poured out his Spirit to make young people see God¡¯s vision and old people men dream dreams. M. Whit shared his disciple-making experiences as a newspaper deliverer and Pharmacy Doctor student. He challenged all to pursue God¡¯s vision and grow up to become competent and influential disciple-makers in this generation. Daniel Erret (Bowling Green) delivered the Sunday devotional message from Romans 11:1-6. God preserves his remnants for world salvation. The lives of remnants are hard and yet full of meaning. As remnants in this generation we bear both privileges and responsibilities for God¡¯s world mission purpose. Russell Kille¡¯s (Toledo) final Sunday message was on ¡°I Will Fill this House with Glory¡± (Haggai 2:1-23). God¡¯s vision is to bring people of all nations to worship and obey God. The ¡°desired of all nations¡± are each of us in the church of God that calls people of all nations for Christ and his kingdom. God strengthens his people to work and blesses them as his very precious ¡°signet ring¡± and honors them in Jesus Christ.

Joint efforts and effective coordination. As messenger coaches Dr. Paul Hong (Toledo) and Dr. Henry Park (Columbus) worked together for message content and delivery. Particularly, Dr. Henry Park stayed in Toledo for three days to train messengers for effective delivery and supported Dr. Paul Hong who was recently ill. Bible teachers involved in helping to prepare the life testimonies. James Choi, Jimmy Mei, Sarah Jeong, Shane Sheahan, Justin Park, Courtney Richards, Stella Hwang, and Kathy Chiu all shared very meaningful life testimonies with vision and hope. Other special programs including break-out sessions on Friday evening after the opening meeting by Jeff Lewis (Discipline in Finance), Mark and Martha Ohashi (Relationships), Jason and Peggy Roth (Raising Children for Mission), Tuf Francis (Christian Apologetics), Dr. David Lee (Immigration Visa), Greg and Susan Lewis (Implementing Priorities for Mission) which were all well-attended and prepared. Praise and Worship was led by Johnny Wilson and Kirk Kayser. Each chapter presented special programs: Columbus (movie and interpretive dance), Bowling Green (David and Goliath skit), Toledo (original music and skit). Mark Gamber coordinated Group Bible studies. Tuf Francis and John Wilson served with practical and spiritual announcements for each meeting. Kevin Reilly and Rebecca Wilson served well all the conference music details. Greg Lewis did coordinated inter-chapter communication for the preparation. Francine Ellis and Rebecca Yang organized Hope and Vision Poster projects through which all people could make their own poster to express God¡¯s vision for them. All other supporting program details (banner, ushers, meeting logistics, name tags, and program booklets) were prepared by willing leaders. Not all names are disclosed but their labor in the Lord made this conference very meaningful and powerful.

Growth of each chapter. It is noticeable that each chapter shows growth. Akron, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Cleveland, and Detroit are more than one family chapters. They have committed people for mission. Sons and daughters attended from Pittsburgh and Jamestown. Akron and Buffalo joined with American students. They will prophesy in the right time. Both Columbus and Toledo have growing leaders. Each year we find that God does his good work in us.

We thank and praise God for his gracious work in and through those in Great Lakes Region. Chapters in Great Lakes Region will work together all the more as a base camp for world mission.