In the will of the Lord, we will hold our 44th annual Family Conference as follows:
Dates:
Wednesday, July 5 – Sunday, July 9, 2023
Venue:
Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN
Theme:
A Living Sacrifice
Theme Verse:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice. – Romans 12:1
Speakers:
Sam Oommen, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Sam and his wife Leslie have been married for 25 years and are blessed with 4 children, 2 that are in University and two in high school. They make their home in Sudbury, Ontario where Sam has been in practice as a physician in this community during this time. They serve together at Sudbury Bible Fellowship, where he has served the Saints in the oversight for a number of years. Over the last 15 years one of the most exciting areas of ministry has been the use their home as a venue to introduce folks to Christ. This blessing has extended to the local Assembly with newborns being added with all the challenges of seeing them discipled to maturity.
Jose Mathews, Mangalore, India
Br. Jose Mathews came to the Assembly fellowship in Mangalore in the year 1982 and continued fellowship with the Christian Assembly Mangalore. Recognizing the call of the Lord, he left his secular service while in Mangalore and entered into full-time ministry with his family in 1993. Commended by the Christian Assembly, Mangalore, Br. Jose serves the Lord as a Bible Teacher among the Lord’s people in India and abroad. Apart from his travels as a Bible teacher and preacher to different places, they, as a family, have an active ministry among the young people of the Assemblies. Br. Jose and his wife Shirly are based in Mangalore now and continue in active fellowship with the saints at Christian Assembly Mangalore.
Simon George, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Simon George was raised in South Florida. His parents and family were believers, and he came to know the Lord as his savior at a VBS at Ft. Lauderdale Bible Chapel. He continued to grow in the Lord at the chapel. He attended Florida International University (2007-12) and The Master’s Seminary (2012-17). In 2017 he returned to Ft. Lauderdale Hope Bible Chapel, where he was commended to the ministry in 2018. He now serves there under the direction of the elders.
Allan Dunlap, Dubuque, IA
Allan works for Legacy Ministry Services serving individuals who provide financial support for the Lord’s work. He is also involved in camp ministry and speaks at camps and assemblies around the country. Raised in the Tampa Bay area of FL, Allan graduated from Clearwater Christian College in 2015 and moved to Dearborn, MI where he worked for a marketing agency until joining Legacy in 2021. He continues to reside in Dearborn, MI, where he is in fellowship at Dunning Park Bible Chapel.
Eric Smith, New York, NY
Eric and his beloved wife, Alma, have been married for eleven years. They have resided in New York and recently have also spent a lot of time in Florida. They have three precious sons (10, 8, and 7). Thirteen years ago, Eric was commended to the work of the Lord as God might lead. He has enjoyed serving the Lord Jesus Christ, his gracious Savior, around the United States and abroad—in evangelism, evangelism training, discipleship, and Bible teaching and preaching. Eric was part of the “Good News on the Move” team during six school years. Eric and his wife, Alma, and their three sons enjoy serving the Lord in various places as the Lord leads and opens doors. Eric and his family’s twofold burden is to see people saved and to see believers grow in their love for God and others as they are discipled and equipped in evangelism.
Georgia Abraham, Plain City, OH
Georgia and her husband, Thomas, have been married for 23 years and blessed with a son Johanan. Having been raised in a Christian home, Georgia came to know Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior as a young girl. Even as a young person, she had a passion for ministering to children through the Sunday school ministries in her local church. The Lord used her life’s circumstances to cause her to grow in His grace and knowledge through prayer, fellowship, and the study of His word. She and her family reside in Plain City, Ohio, and are in fellowship with the saints at Columbus Bible Chapel in Ohio.
Others to be announced.
Plenary Sessions
Romans 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Plenary Session 1: A living sacrifice is Holy
In this session, we will consider the meaning and importance of holiness in the Christian life.
Plenary Session 2: A living sacrifice is acceptable to God
Although a believer is accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6) when it comes to their salvation, this session will consider what it means to be approved and pleasing to the Lord as a living sacrifice
Plenary Session 3: A living sacrifice is a reasonable service of worship
What does it mean to worship God? In this session, we will consider how a living sacrifice produces worship both in words and works.
Plenary Session 4: A living sacrifice is a renewed mind
In this session, we will consider the importance of our minds when it comes to presenting our bodies a living sacrifice.
Plenary Session 5: A living sacrifice will prove the perfect will of God
What is the will of God for my life? In this session, we will discuss how presenting our bodies a living sacrifice is the perfect will of God.
Workshops
Technology and Its Place in the Local Assembly Life (Sam Oommen)
In the early and uncertain days of the COVID pandemic, local churches worldwide were forced to adapt or adopt technology. Online meeting platforms like zoom and youtube made it possible for local churches to continue to connect, enjoy didactic ministry, carry on Sunday School etc. But as the memory of the pandemic recedes, it is even more clear that technology will be an even larger presence in church life. This has opened local churches to a whole new host of challenges and weighing the benefits verses the drawbacks is essential. Few would hold the opinion that an online gathering can replace the vital community of an in-body experience. John would speak with a sense of anticipation in his 2nd letter, …but I hope to come to you shortly and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made full. But where does it play a role? In this plenary session, I want to discuss the challenges of using technology, suggestions for how it can be used in an effective manner to build up the believer and finally address the growing presence of social media in speaking to the matter of technology and our testimony. It is vital that we are not overcome by technology but thoughtfully think through its implications for local church life and the believer.
Into His Harvest – Be Witnesses (Eric Smith)
God can use you! This workshop is designed to help encourage every saint and equip each believer to share the Gospel more faithfully and consistently. “Be Witnesses”—the command is clear, but how can we do so in our daily lives? Why and how should we be motivated to develop a lifestyle of evangelism? Lord willing, we will answer these questions and more, exploring Biblical commands and principles, and practical pointers related to evangelism, both personally and church-wide. We will consider common hinderances, and discover how to overcome them. We plan to dive into “conversation starters,” Gospel resources, methods of sharing the Gospel, and much more!
Godly Family – God’s Pattern (Jose Mathews)
Family, the basis of society since God’s command to be fruitful and multiply, is now under tremendous assault. From redefinition of what constitutes a family unit to children who are taught to disobey and distrust their own parents, the Devil and the world are working hard to destroy God’s pattern of a godly family. What are the biblical roles, patterns, and responsibilities for a godly family? How can the parents establish and teach their children about the importance of a family and how it stabilizes the society at large? This workshop will examine the scriptural principles for a family and the roles and responsibilities for the members of a family.
Believers – A Royal Priesthood (Simon George)
Unlike the OT Aaronic priesthood, which was limited to the lineage of Aaron, in the NT, Scripture teaches that we are “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), referring to all believers in Christ. Since we are priests, what is our responsibility as priests? Just how is our priesthood different than the Aaronic priesthood? What are our obligations? This workshop will help us understand the NT priesthood, our duties as priests, and the purpose, and will challenge us to serve more faithfully as priests.
Financial Stewardship – Wise Money Management (Allan Dunlap)
Scripture teaches that the “love of money is the root of all kinds of evils” (1 Tim. 6:10). This love of money has caused believers to stumble in our faith and stagnate in our spiritual growth. Scripture also teaches that all we have is from God and that we are to be faithful stewards of God’s property. This workshop will address understanding why wealth is neither important nor a priority in our lives and how to faithfully care for the finances God entrusted us.
Other Meetings & Opportunities for Fellowship:
In addition to the above Plenary Sessions, Workshops, and Youth Sessions, there are many other meetings and other opportunities for fellowship. The following is a list of the many meetings and events:
- Men’s Fellowship Meeting
- Women’s Fellowship Meeting
- Young Children’s VBS
- Youth Classes (KG-3, 4-6, 7-8, and High School)
- Ministry Reports
- Nursery during Plenary Sessions
- Hymn sings
- Excellent Gymnasium (racquetball, volleyball, basketball, exercise room, running/walking track, outdoor tennis courts)
Registration:
Online registration is now open. Please click on “Register For Conference” from the menu above. We will not be mailing registration forms as we have done in the past. All registration will be online. If you have any problems with registering, please contact George Mathew (see number below).
Pricing:
Housing:
Indiana Wesleyan University has a beautiful campus. We have access to Townhouses, Apartments, Suites, and Dorms. But each of these is limited in number, especially the Townhouses, and Apartments. Please review the information below and select the appropriate housing during your registration. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
Townhouses are air-conditioned, self-contained units with three bedrooms, three private bathrooms, a small kitchenette, and a living area. Each bedroom has two twin beds. This can accommodate six people comfortably. This is ideal for a larger family.
Apartments are air-conditioned with three bedrooms (two twin beds in each), one to two bathrooms, and a small sitting area, which can accommodate six people comfortably. This is ideal for a larger family.
Suites are air-conditioned with two bedrooms (two twin beds in each) and share one bathroom connecting each bedroom. This is ideal for an average-sized family or singles rooming together.
Dorms are air-conditioned, with four bedrooms and dorm-style bathrooms. Dorms are reserved as all-male or all-female housing.
When registering, please indicate if you require first-floor accommodation due to physical disability. We will try to assign you a room that is either on the first floor or in a building with an elevator. We should have plenty of rooms available, but housing is always assigned first-come-first-served. Please register early to ensure that you get your preference.
Transportation:
Airport
The IWU Campus is close to Indianapolis (Indy) International Airport (about 1 hour & 40 minutes away) and Fort Wayne International Airport (about 1 hour away). If anyone plans to fly into Indy, please call Br. Jaby Jacob at (516) 507-2222 or email jaby_jacob@yahoo.com.
If you are flying into the Indianapolis International Airport on Wednesday and require a ride, please plan to board the IWU bus before 2 PM EDT. The bus will leave the airport at 2 PM.
There is a cost of $25 each way per person for the use of the bus. Please pay the bus cost (both to IWU and return to airport) when checking in.
Contact:
Don’t hesitate to contact the following people during the day or early evening.
George Mathew (IL) 847-530-7170
George Varghese (MO) 443-636-0324
Elson Abraham (MN) 651-202-8564
Jaby Jacob (NY) 516-507-2222
Regimon Kallinkal (PA) 267-252-9830