2009 Global Missions Conference returns to North Greenville University
Posted by The Skyliner on September 30th, 2009Jessicah Peters
Staff Writer
Sarah Woodly, left, and Dr. Allen McWhite, right, pose for a picture to help showcase the Global Missions week. Like Sarah Woodly, many student missionaries came to share their testimonies to encourage others to participate. (Photo by Daniel Jamison)
During Global Missions Conference, Dr. David Garrison preached two inspiring bonus chapels, which many students attended. Along with his preaching, there were testimonies and also an amazing video capturing a life of a Muslim.
Dr. Tom Grassano gave his testimony of the Urban Harvest Ministry on Monday night. The ministry works with young people in the projects of the Bronx, NY. Along with reaching the youth, they also help minister to the gangs and drug dealers, praying for salvation in the city. Through this ministry, there were more people employed, higher graduation rates and people started to realize there was a purpose in life. Not only do they reach people in New York, but also in Detroit, Mich., participating and holding backyard Bible clubs and prayer stations.
On Monday, they also showed a video called Walking in Shadow, made by In- Field media. The video shows an African fisherman who does not know whether he will go to heaven or hell. He works hard to pray five times a day because he is Muslim and wants Allah to know he is faithful. The end of the video says how beautiful are the feet that bring the good news. It was an inspiring video, reminding Christians that we are to take the word of God to the nations.
Along with the messages and testimonies, there was a worship service where one could really feel the spirit of God moving. The main song of the week was “Your Name.” Students lifted up the name of Jesus and truly praised the One whose name is above all else.
Garrison spoke about what it means to know God’s glory. He asked the people what their destination in life was. He asked the students, “Where would God have me go, as a student?” He spoke from Habakkuk 2:14, which says, “For as the water fills the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of God.”
Garrison said that knowing the glory of God means having an intimate relationship. Giving glory to someone is like “pumping” them up.
“But you can’t build up God bigger than He is,” Garrison said.
He explained in simple words that the glory of God is Jesus. Not only do you see the glory of God at the most amazing times when God is bringing so many into the Kingdom, but even in the pain and suffering, God’s glory will shine through.
Before Dr. David Garison came on stage to speak, students were led each day in a time of worship with songs such as "Your Name." (Photo by Jenny Farnham)
“When you have a baby, you can see your face in them. And the same is when Jesus comes in and we are born again, God can see his Son’s face in us,” Garrison said.
He told a story about a dear friend named Hanumanda, which means “the joy of the monkey god.” Hanumanda was a Hindu villager who took care of the building he lived in and saw a difference in the way the missionaries were acting. He began to ask to have a Bible in his own language so he could discover what this difference was. Once he was given a Bible, no one ever saw him not reading it.
“I can feel it in my back,” Hanumanda said once he received Jesus as his Savior.
He had goose bumps all over him. Garrison said he had seen the glory of God in Hanumanda and that’s what every Christian should have.
On Tuesday night, the mission field was again showcased to appeal to college students through the program called Journeyman.
Started more than 40 years ago, Journeyman is a program offered by the International Mission Board to allow single or married college students, ages 21 – 26, to go and do mission work in another country for a period of three years.
These students must be citizens of the United states, in top physical, mental and spiritual shape and willing to go into any nation to spread God’s word.
A few students came to talk about the program, including three Alumni from North Greenville University.
Later in the service, Garrison began his sermon about Killer Giants. He told the story of David and Goliath, and how even though he was a small boy, David conquered a great giant. As in any mission field there will be giants to overcome, but with the strength and power of Jesus’ name anything can be overcome.
The Global Missions Conference gave students an opportunity to see the impact made by people serving God all over the nations. That is our commission and we are to bring the gospel, not just to the people in America, but to the ends of the earth.
Tags: Fall 2009, Vol. 109 - Issue 4