13th ANNUAL MIDDLE EAST PASTORS & CHURCH LEADERS and PASTORS’ WIVES CONFERENCES

PASTORS & CHURCH LEADERS CONFERENCE: Indigenous Ministries returns to Egypt for our annual Pastor’s and Church Leader’s Conference, a key moment for us and for our Egyptian partners and ministries. As our first conference since John’s home going, IM is intent on continuing our mission to these front-line good news workers while giving them opportunity to both grieve John’s passing and celebrate John’s life. We also want to set out our vision for IM’s work there as we move forward. These goals are all in focus as we have planned out this year’s five-day event.

Once again, we are hosting 70+ pastors and church leaders in a conference center on the coast in Alexandria. These are pastors from small churches and church plants, with many of them from the poorer region of upper Egypt. We provide these pastors with a genuinely restful setting from their labors—most of these men are preaching in their churches and church plants 4-5 times a week in addition to other duties.

As we introduced an emphasis on expository preaching a few years ago, the pastors have literally begged us to continue to model this style of preaching. Many said to us, “we’ve never heard this kind of preaching before—we want to know how to do it!” This year we have chosen the book of Ephesians and the theme “Our New Life in Christ.” Prior to the conference, an expository outline has been developed and each speaker will take successive texts to present the whole book. We make notes available to each pastor, along with other resources. This year’s team of preachers will include Reda Khalil (IM’s Middle East Coordinator, returning to Egypt for the first time in four years), Pastor Ken Ford (IM Board member), Pastor Magdi (Indigenous Ministries Senior Staff, Egypt), and Craig Miller (IM Director for Educational Development).

We also promote relationships with key church leaders, and this year, two major denominational leaders who regularly partner with us will be present and will also share messages of encouragement to the pastors. This networking allows pastors to meet and hear from others who will encourage their growth.

IM’s CEO, Dee Cook, will lead a very special time on our opening night with the pastors. She will share with the pastors what IM’s plans are for the future, but also take time to help them as they are still grieving this loss—John has been a spiritual father to many of these pastors, and a trusted advisor and friend. Dee will be joined by her eldest son, John C. Cook, in comforting the pastors and sharing how this loss has touched them and how God is using it in their lives.

As always, IM must bear the cost of the conference, as these pastors could not afford to come otherwise. We need to raise $12,000 beyond what has already been given to fully fund our conference. John’s vision for this conference was to be both edifying in Scripture and renewing in spirit—these leaders have faced incredible challenges and opposition in their work, leaving them often weary and depleted, and giving this week to them is a way to “recharge their batteries.”

IM is looking for financial partners who want to help us uphold and strengthen these church leaders. You can be one of them by making a donation designated for the Middle East Pastors and Church Leaders Conference on our web page. Pray for us, that we receive the necessary funds and for the team as we go.

ONE DAY PASTORS WIVES CONFERENCE: Dee Cook will lead a conference in the Word to bless and encourage over 70 pastors wives in the Upper Nile, Egypt.

Would you consider a generous donation to offset the $12,000 expenses for these vital ministries investing in these leaders with us? Donate here or use the form below. We know the Lord will provide through you as he lays this need on your heart. Thank you.