DBU Hosts Global Missions Conference “Praying for the Nations”

Dallas, TX - Dallas Baptist University hosted the 2013 Global Missions Conference on February 12 and 13 with an emphasis on "Praying for the Nations." Dr. Bob Garrett, director of the Master of Arts in Global Leadership program in the Gary Cook Graduate School of Leadership, coordinated the two-day event held on the University campus, which was sponsored by the generous support of the Christ Is Our Salvation Foundation, Inc.

Henry Deneen, president of Greater Europe Mission, served as the keynote speaker during dinner on Tuesday night.

He passionately expressed the mission of GEM, detailing the work they are doing across the continent ranging from church planting in coffee shops and pubs to establishing the first crisis pregnancy center in the country of Macedonia.

"Europe is a crossroads of the world," Deneen shared with those in attendance. "Reach Europe, and you reach the world."

Deneen also addressed the DBU student body during chapel on Wednesday morning. He shared about opportunities for students to participate in missions, specifically in Europe. He highlighted the work of two DBU teams that recently traveled to London to partner with the ministry. A group of 16 DBU students and staff members worked with GEM during the 2012 Summer Olympics to share the Gospel in the London area. In January, the DBU Patriettes dance team traveled to London and performed routines in schools, community centers, and local churches as they shared the Gospel with approximately 2,000 British people.

Deneen expressed his appreciation for the partnership between DBU and GEM and shared with students about more opportunities that they could have to work with the organization across Europe.

"Reaching the world is not going to be only a task for the ordained, but is shifting to a task for the ordinary," he explained as he highlighted the marketable skills that students will acquire while in college that could then be used to share the Gospel.

During a luncheon on Wednesday, Dr. Carolyn Bishop, executive director for the Consortium for Global Education, addressed students, faculty and staff. She shared about partnerships that Christian universities are developing around the world and how they are making an impact for the Kingdom of God.

Dr. Bishop emphasized, "the future is strategic global involvement." Through partnerships, professors and students are able to focus on education, service, and sharing. DBU is one of 42 member universities that participate in programs across 87 countries.

Workshops were also held on Wednesday afternoon featuring the following speakers: Patty Lane, director of intercultural ministries for the Baptist General Convention of Texas; Tillie Burgin, founder of Mission Arlington; Scott Coleman, director of church planting for the Dallas Baptist Association; Roy Cotton, church planting coordinator for the BGCT; Jim Palmer, director of Miskito Network; and Mark and Karen Alexander, former IMB missionaries and current DBU professors.

Additionally, a Global Missions Fair was held in the Patty and Bo Pilgrim Chapel, featuring more than 16 representatives from mission organizations who shared with students about opportunities for service.

The DBU Global Missions Conference was sponsored by the new Jeannette and Cletys Sadler Global Missions Center and by DBU's Master of Arts in Global Leadership. The MA in Global Leadership is a 42-credit hour degree created for people who are serving Christ now and need new skills and credentials for ministry in non-traditional settings.

The Christ Is Our Salvation Foundation (CIOS) was founded in 1952 by the late Paul Piper, Sr., and his wife, Katy, and is currently run by their son, Paul, Jr., and his wife, Shirley. Over the years, CIOS has supported numerous ministry and missionary efforts, student scholarships, low-income family housing, daycare centers, and medical facilities over the years. In 2010, through the support of CIOS, DBU established its first endowed chair, the Piper Chair of Mission, a position currently held by Dr. Bob Garrett.