GEM's Annual Conference 2017
GEM hosts a conference every year where all of the missionaries who serve across Europe, and many of the North American staff, join together for several days of worship, fellowship, and teaching. Since arriving in France in 2013, the conference has been held in a small mountain town in central Germany. This year it was held in Portorož Piran, Slovenia, along the Adriatic Sea.
There are currently 322 missionaries serving with GEM, 53 of which serve in France (GEM's largest field). It's estimated that 50% of these missionaries have been with GEM for less than 5 years - which is an amazing answer to prayer!
This year at our conference there were 400 adults (including the missionaries and service team), and 100 kids from age 3 weeks - 12 years - plus another 75 teenagers and GEMK staff at another hotel. It was one of the largest GEM Annual Conferences ever, and many people said it was the best one ever (some of them speaking from 20+ years of experience!).
Each morning we gathered together for a time of worship and teaching by a pastor from Toronto, Canada; it's so refreshing to sing and worship and hear God's Word in our native language! We also heard stories and updates from every field within GEM - what a blessing to see how God is moving across the continent! Throughout the week seminars were offered on various topics such as the Reformation, Coaching, Building Marriages, Leading Family on Mission, Support Raising, Leadership Development, Ministering to Muslims, and the Current Refugee Situation.
During the large group gatherings and seminars, child care was provided for all ages. We were a little nervous about how Judah would do, since he had never really been babysat by others (not for a lack of willingness but for a lack of opportunity!), but as usual, he was a champ! He enjoyed playing with the other kids his age (there were probably about 10 kids between 4 months and 2 years old in his class) and never cried. His teachers said they wished they could clone him because he was so sweet!
This year's conference was focused on rest and refreshment, and the beautiful location encouraged that even more than the intentional conference schedule. We shared meals with friends that we only see at Annual Conference; we played in the Sea with Judah for hours; we ate as much gelato as possible. It was great!
There are currently 322 missionaries serving with GEM, 53 of which serve in France (GEM's largest field). It's estimated that 50% of these missionaries have been with GEM for less than 5 years - which is an amazing answer to prayer!
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| Some GEM France members posing as monkeys in front of a big tree as part of a scavenger hunt. Judah missed the memo. |
This year at our conference there were 400 adults (including the missionaries and service team), and 100 kids from age 3 weeks - 12 years - plus another 75 teenagers and GEMK staff at another hotel. It was one of the largest GEM Annual Conferences ever, and many people said it was the best one ever (some of them speaking from 20+ years of experience!).
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| We gathered as a GEM France unit to say goodbye to a couple who is retiring after serving with GEM for 45 years in France! |
Each morning we gathered together for a time of worship and teaching by a pastor from Toronto, Canada; it's so refreshing to sing and worship and hear God's Word in our native language! We also heard stories and updates from every field within GEM - what a blessing to see how God is moving across the continent! Throughout the week seminars were offered on various topics such as the Reformation, Coaching, Building Marriages, Leading Family on Mission, Support Raising, Leadership Development, Ministering to Muslims, and the Current Refugee Situation.
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| One girl was baptized during our gathering. |
During the large group gatherings and seminars, child care was provided for all ages. We were a little nervous about how Judah would do, since he had never really been babysat by others (not for a lack of willingness but for a lack of opportunity!), but as usual, he was a champ! He enjoyed playing with the other kids his age (there were probably about 10 kids between 4 months and 2 years old in his class) and never cried. His teachers said they wished they could clone him because he was so sweet!
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| Judah played so hard during the first day that he fell asleep with food half-way to his mouth at lunch. He NEVER does this! |
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| Judah's first craft. <3 |
This year's conference was focused on rest and refreshment, and the beautiful location encouraged that even more than the intentional conference schedule. We shared meals with friends that we only see at Annual Conference; we played in the Sea with Judah for hours; we ate as much gelato as possible. It was great!
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