This past weekend, something fresh, passionate, and exciting was unveiled in Caronport—Briercrest’s new Mission Conference, 2819. Hundreds of students, Briercrest employees, and visitors who came just for the conference filled the Hildebrand Chapel to hear Ron Cline, the conference’s keynote speaker, challenge them to “step off the curb and join the parade.”

“The first time you do something for God that he asks you to do will be a great accomplishment—even though you’re scared to death,” he said.

Throughout the weekend, Cline further challenged conference-goers to be authentic, obey the call of God, and watch for his work. Mission representatives and workshop leaders allowed people to see what was happening with those who had already “stepped off the curb” and gave conference-goers opportunities to obey such a call themselves.

HCJB Global’s Barb Cline led a session entitled “Next Steps: I Want to Serve God, So Now What Do I Do?” In it, she spoke to those who wanted to “move ahead” with serving Christ with their lives.

Howard Jolly, the pastor at Winnipeg’s First Nations Community Church, addressed Aboriginal relations and history. “The greatest need that exists in Aboriginal Canada, in my opinion, is the need for empowerment,” he said.

Gord Sawatzky of Africa Inland Mission led a session on the challenges of a cross-cultural ministry in a post-modern world, and Danny Gamache and a team of students spoke about their experience at the 2008 Beijing Olympics with Athletes in Action.

One conference attendee, a missions conference “veteran” of sorts, had nothing but praise for the weekend. She said, “It triggered all of the missions conference experience you’ve ever had…It was fresh and creative, but it call came down to the reminder that we need to include a mission-mindset in everything that we do.”