Pre-Conference workshops are designed as extensive two-day seminars for specialized selected topics. Participants are expected to attend all of the same workshop topic.

• Going Glocal

  This pre-conference seminar will focus on the new dynamics of glocal ministry. Dr. Gene Wood's book "Going Glocal", explores how today's local churches can achieve Acts 1:8 in unprecedented ways. You will learn how to go glocal regardless of the size of your church. If you have a heart for the local church and mission work, you can lead your church to the next level of international partnerships.

  

  Gene Wood is the Senior Pastor of Grace Church of Glendora. He has been serving churches since 1980, with each church experiencing turnaround and healthy growth. Gene is also President and founder of "Grace for Asia", an organization which works with local churches and individuals partnering with other churches around the world for Bible distribution, leadership training, microfinancing and construction of churches and medical clinics. For more information, please visit www.graceforasia.org, www.glocalpartners.com, www.leading-turnaround.org, www.grace-church.com.

• Urban Short-Term Mission Panorama View

  Find out how short-term mission teams can fit into the urban ministry scene. During this workshop we will visit several different urban ministries and discover first hand how short-term mission teams can meet needs in the urban setting and make a meaningful impact.

  

  Paul Palmer is the Founder and Pastor of the Atlanta Dream Center. Throughout his ministry, he has been a church planter and U.S. missionary. Annually, Paul leads hundreds of people on short-term mission trips. In addition to his work in international teaching, preaching and evangelism, he has written over 150 articles and has been featured on the 700 Club and in a number of Christian magazines. Paul and his wife, Patty, have been married for 36 years and have 11 children.



• Standards Introductory Workshop (SIW)

  This NSTMC pre-con option is actually a requirement for key STM personnel from U.S. Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission (SOE) Provisional Member organizations—churches, agencies and schools which are members of the SOE. This SIW will help you understand how to achieve all seven standards, and how to form and manage your own peer review teams. The workshop will be interactive, using case studies, small group discussions, several presenters, and will provide training in MISTM theory to help you proceed to SOE Covenant Member status. A lotta good stuff in one day—and a lotta fun together, helping you achieve excellence in all your short-term mission work!

  

  Brian Heerwagen is the Executive Director of DELTA Ministries International. His first short-term mission was on a DELTA team in 1980 and he was hired as Executive Director in 1985. He has been to mission fields in 17 countries and has led or been on countless short-term teams. Brian is also a member of the National Standards of Excellence Committee. He is the author/collaborator of the Next Mile follow-through curriculum for short-term missions. Brian's commitment is to be available in shaping the character of individuals for the purpose of long-term personal change and world impact.

  
  

  Wayne Sneed is the founder and director of Orphanos Foundation, and has an extensive quarter-century background in short-term mission management. As a teenager he lived with his family in Iran during 1976-1977 where his dad was employed in a secular job. Wayne began his mission career in 1981 when he went with his home church on a short-term outreach to Mexico. He has been the President of Orphanos since its inception in 1997. He has personally led more than 85 short-term outreaches in 12 nations during the past 25+ years. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Alliance for Excellence in Short-Term Mission as the treasurer, on the steering committee for the Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission, and was on the steering committee for the Fellowship of Short-Term Mission Leaders for 9 years. Wayne is a sought after speaker for mission conferences and training seminars. He has provided consulting for churches, mission agencies, and Christian colleges. He is also the co-author of Maximum Impact Short-Term Mission, which has been called the “bible of the short-term mission movement.” Wayne and his wife Angela have been married since 1999 and have one child– Audrey Joy born in 2003. Wayne is also a musician and worship leader.