Todd Snyder, Abbey UCC - Huntingdon, PA

WOW! If you would like to be connected to mission outreach and interpretation of Global Ministries within the United Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ in worldwide settings, you might consider a visit to our headquarters at 700 Prospect Avenue in Cleveland.

My own experience was up to the brim with conversations with active missionaries, conference and denominational staff, and executives with a wealth of knowledge and tons of enthusiasm. Our time together was packed full with presentations, worship, reviewing materials, sharing hopes and dreams and starting to envision projects and plans back home. People from congregations all over our country learned about becoming mission interpreters, while conference teams made plans to share visions and contemplate developing new global connections with other people of faith where God leads us.

Superb hospitality, delicious food, inspiring people, and the presence of God made the stay a time of wonder from which I plan to unpack for years. Thanks for entrusting me to be a part of this earthshaking endeavor.

Cathie Mossburg, First UCC - Millvale, PA

Rev. Todd Snyder, Rev. Dr. Keith Kensinger, and I were privileged to attend the Ministers and Mission Interpreters (MMI) training on October 9-11 in our National Offices in Cleveland. It was a weekend filled with excitement - meeting people from California, Vermont, Michigan, Georgia and Texas to name a few, who came because they too were interested in learning how their Churches and Conferences could become part of the Global Mission. There were also missionaries who spoke to us of their calling such as Justino Perez from Mexico, John Campbell-Nelson from East Timor and Global Mission Interns, Kevin Howe who spent time in Honduras and Lydia Bartholomew who was in Jerusalem. These are just a few of the speakers who filled us with a sense of what it means to be Missional and gave us insight into the needs of the people in their host countries. The first step to becoming a Global Mission Conference was at our Annual Meeting in Johnstown; stay tuned for the exciting and exhilarating next steps.

Keith Kensinger, St. John's UCC - Martinsburg, PA

After this MMI experience, I will never forget the world-wide scope of our church. I was treated to the mission of the church that tells the story of Christ innumerous ways by numerous people of God. To be given the opportunity to be with people in mission from China, South America and Indonesia as a partner in ministry daunting. It is my hope to tell the story of Christ as work around the world with mission partners here in the Penn West Conference. Being a Mission Partner as a conference and as local churches will enrich our own ministries. It will help us grow as the world becomes part of our mission.