Continue your Global Encounter experience by diving deeper into the ministries of our global servants, international partners, and staff. Explore how current events impact these ministries and influence the future of how we respond together for good in God’s mission.

Each workshop will last up to 60 minutes and will be recorded for later viewing.

These workshops are free to Global Encounter registrants. There is no need to sign up; just show up! Links for each workshop session will be emailed to Global Encounter registrants.

Tuesday, June 4

12:00 pm EST – Mission in the Future
Leaders: Rev. Dr. Sharon Koh, Executive Director/CEO of International Ministries and Dr. Allen Yeh, Professor of Intercultural Studies and Missiology, Biola University

How is global mission changing? What trends are happening in the U.S. and around the world? How should churches and individuals be prepared? Who is sending and receiving missionaries?

4:00 pm EST – War in Ukraine: How is God Calling Us to Respond?
Leaders: Kristy Engel, Global Consultant in Health & Wellness and David Gal, Chief Executive Director with Hungarian Baptist Aid 

Hungarian Baptist Aid, a key partner in responding to the needs of refugees fleeing Ukraine and ministering to those still in their home country, will discuss the roadblocks and what works in the face of such massive need. What do people in other countries need to know about Ukraine and the current situation? Your understanding and support are vital.

Wednesday, June 5

11:00 am EST – What’s Happening in Asia, Iberoamerica & the Caribbean?
Leaders: Rev. Dr. Ben Chan, Area Director for East & South Asia and Dr. Adalia Gutierrez Lee, Area Director for Iberoamerica & the Caribbean

IM Area Directors will share the opportunities and challenges in each of their areas as they work with international partners and global servants.

12:00 pm EST – A Day in the Life of a Short-Term Mission Team
Leaders: Nora & Rev. Pieter Kalkman, Regional Coordinators of Short-Term Mission Engagement

How should someone prepare to go on a short-term mission team? What are the things a STM team might do? What makes a team successful for the partner that receives them?

7:00 pm EST – Educación Teológica en América Latina (OFFERED IN SPANISH)
Líderes: Rev. Mercy Gonzalez-Barnes, Consultante Regional en la Educación Teológica y Capacitación de Líderes y Ruth Vindas, Servidora Global en Costa Rica sirviendo en la facultad de la Universidad Bíblica Latinoamericana

¿Cuáles son las fuerzas motrices que están creando la necesidad para la Educación Teológica en esta área del mundo? ¿Por qué son importante? ¿Cómo han cambiado en las décadas recientes? ¿Cómo será la Educación Teológica en el futuro? Únanse a estas servidoras globales para dialogar acerca de este reto tan importante.

Saturday, June 8

10:00 am EST – How Art and Creativity Can Heal Traumatic Stress
Leader: Rev. Kit Ripley, Global Servant in Thailand

Kit will provide a basic introduction to trauma-informed care and explain why art and creativity is increasingly being recruited as a treatment for traumatic stress based on ten mechanisms for healing. She will summarize key findings and discuss how she is uses art therapy with survivors of trauma in her ministry at the New Life Center in Thailand.

11:00 am EST – What’s Happening in Africa & Southeast Asia?
Leaders: Karen Smith, Area Director for Africa and Rev. Kyle Witmer, Area Director for Southeast Asia & Japan

IM Area Directors will share the opportunities and challenges in each of their areas as they work with international partners and global servants.