“Ministering to the deaf in China” and “praise and worship through hip-hop” were just a few of the topics Corban students learned about at a missions conference earlier this month. A handful of Corban students attended Mission Connexion held at Sunset Presbyterian Church in Portland, Saturday Jan. 22.
Among the Corban students who attended was Callie Doremus, who is entering an internship with Pioneers mission organization.
“It was cool to see people [from Corban] taking the time, the effort, and the money to come,” said Doremus. She attended a workshop on being courageous in sharing the faith and also met some missionaries who she invited to speak at a Bible study she is starting. Doremus was thrilled to see “other young people there speaking out about their faith.”
Rose Miller, a freshman communications major and youth leader at Bethany Baptist Church also attended. While Rose doesn’t see overseas missions in her future, she was encouraged by the conference. At one point of the day, the entire conference met for a time of worship. During a few songs the assembly worshipped like believers in China’s underground church.
“In China they can’t worship loudly,” said Miller, “We did a couple of songs like that, quietly singing to ourselves. It puts you in their shoes . . . living in a place you couldn’t be loud about your faith.”
Robert Abell, who is involved with True North Corps felt that the conference was beneficial for Corban students, especially those interested in overseas missions.
Unfortunately, due to the short amount of time between Christmas break and the conference, not as many people were able to attend as he had hoped.
“I like the bigger group and having more organization,” said Abell. “It helps build the excitement.”
Vince Rediger, True North Corps president, hopes to have an organized group go up to Portland for the conference next year.