SENT Conference delivers vision for missions to church leaders and volunteers

EULESS—By the time Brad Hodges left the SBTC’s SENT Conference in 2010, he had had his own “road to Damascus” experience about missions.

“I learned what it means to give up all and follow him, whenever and wherever. I will go. I don’t have to live overseas to be a missionary. I can live it here and now.” Hodges declared. “I now start my days with a SENT attitude.”

Of course, most pastors know that living out the challenge of the Great Commission is not a one-man job. It takes pastors and church members working together to reach those around the corner and around the world with the gospel. But building that DNA into a local church is difficult.

Most church staffs would love a congregation full of people with Hodges’ understanding of his role in the kingdom.

That’s where “Living SENT 2013” comes in, providing resources to help pastors and laypeople lead churches to develop a passion for missions. Living SENT 2013, April 26-27 at First Baptist Church of Euless, will feature pre-sessions, plenary sessions, and many workshops seeking to inspire believers to embrace the Acts 1:8 challenge as “witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Topics include apartment ministry, travel and safety training, embracing unreached people groups, and learning to engage Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims.

“If you are serious about the Great Commission, SENT is a conference you must attend,” said Terry Sharp, lead strategist for state and associational relations in the mobilization office of the International Mission Board. “You will find inspiring messages, videos and testimonies, plus breakout sessions that help equip you to be involved in every facet of Acts 1:8,” he explained.

“If you go to only one conference this year, it needs to be this one,” Sharp said.

Other sessions, applicable to laypeople and ministers alike, include: “Teach a Man to Fish,” led by David and Jo Brown, missionary and Baptist Global Response representative; “Impacting a Lost World through Prayer,” led by Eddie Cox, IMB missionary and director of the Office of Global Prayer Strategy; “Busting the Bible Belt Norms—How Texas is forever changed and what the church needs to do about it,” led by Ben Hays, pastor of The Church in the Center, Houston; “Reaching Children at Risk in Your Church,” led by Clara Molina, North American Mission Board missionary; and “Really? You Want Me to Do What?” led by Brad Womble, IMB missionary and mobilization strategist.

“I found the SENT Conference to be very helpful and insightful for me as a young minister,” Nathan Adams, associate minister of missions at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene, said of past conferences. “I learned how to use tools like community mapping and storytelling to enhance my church’s outreach efforts. I personally met several engaging people who took one-on-one time with me to answer questions and swap stories,” he added. “I would recommend this event for anybody interested in connecting with people or working with the local church.”

Local churches have seen mission involvement increase following previous SENT Conferences. “Our involvement in Mexico Missions is a result of our attendance at the Sent Conference sponsored by SBTC,” said Carey Butler of First Baptist Church of Quitman.

For more information about Living SENT 2013, including complete pre-conference, conference, and workshop information and registration requirements, visit sbtexas.com/sent.