A Word from the Executive Director . . .

Excerpts from an e-mail David Empson sent to ICOM friends and supporters after the convention to report on its impact.

President Mike Schrage created a great theme and slate of speakers as we focused on technology while discipling to make more disciples.

• About 8,600 attended ICOM and the parallel student convention.

• There were more children in KidZone than ever before!

• 88 made decisions to go into full-time service on the mission field.

• The offering goal of $60,000, almost reached during the convention, was exceeded after Giving Tuesday (November 29) gifts were added.

“The exhibitors and attendees left a great impression on the folks living in Lexington. We heard great feedback from store owners and restaurant managers about how kind our people were to them. We also heard wonderful reports of those who attended ICOM and how they felt renewed and encouraged as they returned home.” ence. Zumé, Greek for “leaven,” is a new approach to making disciples. He appreciated the special emphasis on reaching people who have Hindu and Buddhist worldviews, as these are often overlooked in our focus on Islam. Paul was born into a Christian family. His grandparents, however, were Hindus before becoming followers of Christ.

Paul was asked if he had any advice for those attending ICOM 2016. He commented that the older generation has been very committed to missions, but now it is time to prepare the next generation. He wants America to be strengthened be- cause America has been a leader in worldwide mission.

We Need Each Other

Mitchell, Luis, and T.D. Paul represent the new face of world Christianity. ICOM speaker Oscar Muriu of Kenya reminded us that there are more Christians in Africa, Latin America, and Asia than there are in Europe, the Americas, and Australia. He told us there were more Presbyterians in Ghana than there are in Scotland, the ancestral home of Presbyterianism.

We were encouraged to look at different areas of the world and see the special gifts each brings to the body of Christ. Indians bring the gift of martyrdom in the face of persecution. Germans bring order. Africans bring joy. Brazilians bring tremendous emotion. Americans bring financial resources and problem-solving ability.

We need one another. We are bereft without one another. We all have something to give.

It is not too early to begin making plans to attend ICOM 2017. The convention will be in Peoria, Illinois, with Enoch Nyador, a Christian leader from Ghana, serving as president.

He has chosen the theme “Together.” Worship, prayer, fellowship, learning, and fun await you!

Doug Priest serves as executive director of CMF International and as a contributing editor to Christian standard