Back from Annual Conference

We returned on Sunday night from our New England Annual Conference, held at Gordon College in Wenham, MA from Thursday night through noontime on Sunday. It's always a joy to be part of a worshiping congregation of 1,000 voices, and to celebrate some of the ministries around our New England Conference which are impacting lives with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

I'm still processing all that took place... There certainly were frustrating moments, but also many joyful moments. A few highlights:

• great energy around the Nothing But Nets campaign, with something like $50,000 raised during Annal Conference to purchase bed nets, which will help to alleviate the spread of malaria in Africa, which causes such suffering
• the report that $6.3 million has already come in through our "Together for Tomorrow" capital campaign, supporting congregational development, camps and retreat centers, pastoral retirement support, local church ministries, and our covenants with the churches of Nicaragua and West Angola
• Eric Dupee winning the Ziegler Preaching Award and sharing a fantastic sermon challenging us to simply love God and love our neighbors
• Saturday night's ordination & commissioning service - congratulations, Rick!
• many opportunities to connect with old friends
• having Rachel's four grandparents there all at once!

Check out some of the news from Annual Conference, courtesy of our Conference communications staff:

News from Friday, June 13
News from Saturday, June 14
News from Sunday, June 15