Update: Chiang Mai Leadership Conference
In early March, WorldVenture held its second global leadership conference, this time in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Why Chiang Mai? It’s one of the friendliest and most economical locations in Southeast Asia for missionary conferences. In fact, we learned more than 2,000 missionaries are located in and around Chiang Mai.

At best count, about 200 participated in the conference, including WorldVenture’s Board of Directors and their spouses, 100 missionaries plus their children, and various staff members from Littleton. The major focus of the event was to equip, encourage, inspire and generally pump-up the WorldVenture missionary family.

One of the most valuable benefits of the conference, as one participant said, is “having the opportunity to network with other missionaries and Board members. The Lord places others in our path to establish ‘powerful partnerships’ to further His work around the globe.”

Morning Worship Prayer and Devotions
Each day began with a half-hour of worship led by a great all-female worship team. One missionary said, “I loved having the all-girl band for the worship times.” Another person said, “Worship time is wonderful. It is so great to sing together in English. I don’t have that opportunity in the country where we minister.” And many others shared the same feeling. Every morning after worship, a different Board member shared devotional thoughts from his/her personal life. Each day we focused on one world area for extended times of prayer

Our great worship and praise team.

After each morning break, I presented one part of a four-part series on the life and times of Joseph: The Battle for Faithfulness “Get over it—and get on with it.” In each session, we explored critical circumstances in Joseph’s life. We began by talking about the top 10 things to love about Joseph. From there, we examined how Joseph’s struggles apply to our lives in modern times. In discussion groups, we talked about discouragement, failure, temptation, and bitterness—all things that Joseph wrestled with.

These group breakout sessions proved to be a wonderful opportunity for everyone to share their individual circumstances with each other. We prayed for one another, bearing each other’s burdens. When we opened the floor for discussion, we laughed together, but we also shared some insightful revelations.

I think F.B. Meyer sums up the series quite well when he said, “It is very sweet, as life passes by, to be able to look back on dark and mysterious events, and to trace the hand of God where we once saw only malice and cruelty of man.”

Hans Finzel sharing leadership lessons from the life of Joseph.

Stay connected to our website, WorldVenture.com, for downloadable audio files this series on Joseph, recorded live in Chiang Mai. And bookmark WorldVenture.com/frontline, a special subsection for our radio show, “Missions on the Frontline.” You can listen to all our shows and even download them to your desktop.

Board’s Involvement
In recent years, we’ve observed that the Board of Directors does not have as much contact with our missionaries as we would wish. So, we invited the Board and their spouses to join us for the conference. It’s encouraging to note that the Board members and their spouses came at their own expense to the conference. Board member Sam Williams said, “When I came I was a member of the Board of Directors. Now I feel like I’m a member of WorldVenture.” The missionaries really appreciated all the personal time they had with the Board over meals, free time and recreational pursuits. One person said, “I was greatly encouraged by the devotions of Board members.” Another missionary said, “I appreciated that they were here.” Still another said, “Getting the Board members involved by speaking and being with us was great.”

Free time and Fellowship in Chiang Mai
One of the great drawing factors for Chang Mai is the amount of recreational opportunities. That and the “night market” where shoppers have an unlimited opportunity to buy wonderful Asian made goods at bargain basement prices. Some of the WorldVenture folks were observed purchasing additional suitcases for all the souvenirs!

While their parents were busy with the conference, the children enjoyed their own program.

Friday was fun day, an opportunity for everyone to have full-time fellowship and become better acquainted through recreation. There was everything from elephant rides to raft trips and visiting remote villages to an excursion to the Golden triangle where Burma, Laos and Thailand meet.

WorldVenture is a great ministry family. We appreciate all those who worked hard to pull-off what one participant said, “will be a hard act to follow.”