Wow! What a Response!

A day before the 62nd National Missionary Convention began in Peoria, Nancy and I were eating breakfast at our hotel when Danny Harrod, a Professor from Boise Bible College, greeted us and said, “I bet you guys are ready to give birth to this thing?” We agreed that we were ready for it to start.

I had never thought about the process of organizing a major convention like a pregnancy, but there are similarities. It begins with a dream. Then, it is something that you think about and pray about for some time. Finally, the concept is conceived and begins to develop. It takes months of meetings and check-ups. Your excitement and anticipation grows as the time draws near. The big day is within sight and you want everyone to know, so you send announcements inviting your brothers and sisters to participate in this wonderful life changing event. When the moment arrives there is anguish because of the laboring details. The crisis turns into awe and thanksgiving as the miracle you had prayed for unfolds before your very eyes. The celebration is incredible. But the time comes to go home, where you rest and reflect on what just happened. What did happen at the 2009 NMC? Thousands were inspired and challenged to serve faithfully, give generously, love creatively, pray passionately, go courageously and recruit diligently. Hundreds were encouraged by visits and prayers of ministry partners in the exhibit halls. Fifty decided to go courageously to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. Many more discovered new or different ideas to help them to be more effective in sharing God’s Gift to their neighbors and friends. Others renewed old friendships and made new ones. Hearts joined together to pray for the nations and for the Lord of the Harvest to send more workers. Hundreds of teenagers came to worship, build walls, pack food and have great fellowship. Wow! What a response to God’s incredible Gift!

Next year we will be in Lexington, KY near the birthplace of our Movement. Dave Linn will be leading us into a new decade. The theme is “Harvest of Hope.” Plans are being made to birth the Restoration Revolution at next year’s convention. Let us earnestly pray for God’s blessing upon these two historical events.

In closing I would like to thank all of those who made the convention in Peoria a success. Many of you served faithfully and exceptionally without recognition or applause. I thanked different groups of people at the convention, but I know I missed some. To those unmentioned servants I do apologize. It is my prayer that God will richly bless you for your unselfish service. This baby is not done. She is just beginning! I can’t wait to see and hear about her growth in the coming years as we continue to respond to God’s Grace.

Thank you for allowing me the privilege to serve this great convention.

Rick Jett