What a fabulous week! I just spent the last week at the National New Church Conference in Orlando, Florida.  Francis Chan and Irwin McManis were definite highlights.  I was blessed to be a speaker for the spouse track this year and to be able to attend without any children.  I don’t know which one got me more pumped; speaking or running around without any children in tow!

I was amazed when I learned that it is the largest church planting conference in North America at this time.  If you are planning on planting or have already planted and get a chance to attend, it is well worth the effort.

The worship was great, as always, and the main speakers were riviting.  I was moved to tears on several occasions, (but that happens to me often) and I remember a particularly heart wrenching moment when a Korean pastor was talking about the huge church in Korea he left to come to New York and plant a church.

He was explaining how he was so thankful for American missionaries who came to Korea over 100 years ago to plant the Gospel and churches.  Their sacrifice is what has resulted in the current church in Korea, and ultimately his decision to come to plant here, in the United States.  I just started crying at the strange grace and irony that God would use a seed planted in an unchurched nation over 100 years ago to come full circle and bring that same Gospel back to a desperately unchurched America.

I was staggered as I acknowledged that our God is just like that.  I found it profoundly humbling and loving and I gratefully appreciate being given the 100 years perspective to be able to glimpse just a portion of the tapestry He is weaving.

I know some of you were at the conference too.  I would love to hear how it went for you and what stood out to you the most.  Please post your comments below so we can share in the dialogue.

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