Last weekend some friends and I went down to the “Vessels of Honor” young people’s conference in Kansas. Although I have never attended this conference before, I’ve heard about it for years– and I have listened to audio messages from it because the teaching is so good.
The main speaker last year was Scott Degroff. You can listen to his messages on prayer here. (I highly recommend them if you want to be encouraged in your prayer life!)
We received some great witnessing training from Brady Collier. In this picture he is showing us an evangelistic app that he is creating to be released in a few months.
We split up and went various places to witness (or pray) on Saturday afternoon. My group went to a downtown area and had several good talks and passed out a lot of tracts. On one street corner we ran into “Superman”. His cape says “trust Jesus,” and apparently he uses his outfit as a springboard to share the gospel. You never know who you’ll meet when you go out witnessing. [smile]
I came back from the conference with many pages of new pointers and tips in my notebook, and I’m so grateful for the godly teachers that I had the opportunity to interact with. “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Proverbs 13:20).
One (of many) themes that struck me from comments made over the weekend was the benefit of reading Christian biographies. I decided to carve out some time in my schedule specifically for biographies, otherwise I always “intend” to but never do (I’m a slow reader).
Reading about martyrs helps us get out of the American mindset and embrace the martyr mindset that the Lord wants us to have daily.
” … he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:38-39).
Thanks so much for sharing, Grace.
I like the idea of reading biographies! 🙂
Sending a smile,
Melanie
Whoa! You were here in KS? That sounds great! Oh, I love reading Christian biographies! 😀
Hello Grace, Just wanted to suggest a good autobiography called Tortured for Christ by Richard Wumbrandt. Although I have not personally read this book, my sister and my mommy have read it and said its very good. I am going to read it this summer hopefully. Just thought I would tell you about it. Sarah
What biographies do you recommend?
Also, if I wanted to attend this conference, do all ladies need head coverings?
Thanks for sharing, Grace!
p.s. Not sure if you’ve read “Hearts of Fire” (published by Voice of the Martyrs), but it’s one of my favorites! It tells the true stories of eight sisters-in-Christ from around the world. I was really encouraged/inspired by it!
Sarah: Thank you. I have heard of that but haven’t read it myself. We have it in our bookstore, though. 🙂 I hope you glean a lot from it this summer!
Kimberly: For biography recommendations, hmm… I really enjoyed “Vanya” by Myrna Grant and Bruchko by Bruce Olson… I am reading Foxe’s Book of Martyrs now but I wouldn’t recommend it for younger children! My sister Sarah really liked Hudson Taylors’ biographies. I’d also recommend Jim Elliot’s journals and “God’s Smuggler” by Brother Andrew. I have not read as much as I wish I would have, to be honest. However, I have complied a list of recommendations from people I respect. I will email that to you. Regarding the conference, if you would like to come you would definitely be welcome, and you do not need to wear a head covering to attend. It’s open to anyone over 18.
Elizabeth: Thanks so much for the recommendation; I think I have heard of that. I will look into it! Sounds great.
If anyone else has biography recommendations, I would be interested. 🙂
I’d love to make it to the Vessels conference one year. My family and I listed some past recordings (mostly Scott DeGroff!) on our road trip to TX in February. Looks like you had fun at this year’s.
That top picture really grabbed my attention because of the “Follow the Facts” t-shirt. We know Rob Sullivan, the guy who runs that ministry. He just did a conference at our church and my whole family got those t-shirts! Really is a small world.
Biography Recommendations:
Shadow of the Almighty, by Elisabeth Elliot (awesome, awesome book!)
God’s Smuggler (autobiography technically)
Hudson Taylor (by J. Hudson Taylor, also a autobiography)
The Hiding Place
That’s neat, Leah– yeah, Rob Sullivan was one of the speakers this year at Vessels. I really appreciated not only his sessions but also the fact that he stayed around answering our questions til midnight. 🙂
Haha, I’m glad you noticed the t-shirt. He has some really neat stuff on that website (http://xtremeevidences.com/)!
Yes, maybe one year you could come out to Vessels. That’s neat that you already have listened to some past recordings.
Thanks for the biography recommendations!! My grandparents when to school with Jim and Elisabeth Elliot so i like to ask them about what they were like. 🙂
Rob usually ends up staying at our church for a long time when he comes to speak. We all love asking tons of questions even though we’re lucky enough to get him rather frequently. 🙂 He tells the funniest ice breaker stories. Did you get to hear the one about the shrimp?
Yes, Leah, he told the shrimp story and I about died laughing, i was crying so much! I think the unique food experiences I’ve had in Malaysia and Singapore helped me to relate. That’s nice he comes to your church often. 🙂
Hope you come to Vessels next year, it would be nice to see you again!