Alumni Conference 2010

Overview

 

"But let all who take REFUGE in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name rejoice in you."  Psalm 5:11

DiscipleMakers: How did the Lord use it in your life? Wouldn't it be great to see some of the friends and staff, to remember what God did and share stories of his continual work?

Theme

"But let all who take REFUGE in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name rejoice in you."  Psalm 5:11

Facebook, Twitter, and iPhones are but a few of the "fun" tools many have found useful to keep in contact with more people. However, with more tools comes more work. Do you feel like you can't keep up with all that life brings-job responsibilities, ever growing family, ministry? Where do you find rest and shelter? Where is your REFUGE?

We might acknowledge it is found in Christ alone, but often we need to have our eyes re-focused on Him. Christ's glory is the greatest thing in the entire universe. God values it above all else and our greatest joys are found in His glory.

The Alumni Conference weekend theme is intended to focus our eyes on the Glory of Christ. It is only in His wonder that we will find true REFUGE in the midst of our ever-changing, always-hectic lives. As we look at the Glory of Christ in his life, death, resurrection and now seated at the right hand of God we will be rejuvenated in the greatness of the REFUGE we have in our Lord!

At the conference, we will be studying Isaiah, one of the best examples of what happened when God's people turned to idols for refuge. God's response to this sinful action was to send His Son so that through Him, we might have refuge and shelter now–just a small taste of the refuge to come in Heaven.

"Then the Lord will create...a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; overall the glory will be a canopy. It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place form the storm and rain."

Isaiah 4:5-6 (NIV)

Schedule

Printable PDF version with details

Friday, June 18, 2010

6:00pm  -  7:00pm    * Registration and Reception
7:00pm  -  8:15pm    Session 1: The Glory of Christ - The Incarnation
8:30pm  -  9:00pm    State of the Mission from DM President with Q & A

Saturday, June 19, 2010

8:00am  -  9:00am    Breakfast
9:00am  -  9:55am    Session 2: The Glory of Christ - Death & Resurrection
10:15am - 12:00am   Session 3: Break-out Workshops

12:00pm - 1:00pm     Lunch
1:00pm  -  5:00pm     Free Time/Recreation

5:00pm  -  6:00pm    Dinner
6:15pm  -  6:45pm    Family Worship/Sharing
6:45pm  -  8:00pm    Session 4: The Glory of Christ - The Growth of His Kingdom

Sunday, June 20, 2010

8:00am  -  9:00am    Breakfast
9:00am  -  9:45am    Time to Pack-up
9:45am - 11:10am    Worship Service-Session 5: The Glory of Christ - Heaven & the Wedding Supper
11:20am  - 11:50am  Closing remarks

12:00pm - 1:00pm    Lunch

Talks

"For to us a child is born..."  The uniqueness of our faith is found in the fact that God became flesh and dwelt among us. Isaiah 9 paints a picture that gives us several resources to live life well (resources we cannot get anywhere else): 1. An all mighty AND personal God (Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace); 2. A God who can empathize (Wonderful Counselor); 3. A God who cares enough about the material world to enter it and heal it (a child is born, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders). 

The glory of Christ is powerfully experienced as we see Him who died so that we may have life.  Isaiah 53 introduces us to the Suffering Servant who was pierced, crushed, & given all our iniquities.  The Lord will cause His hand to prosper and His righteousness becomes ours!

• "Broken Dreams: Discovering the Glory of Christ When Life Disappoints"  - Rhys John

We all have dreams and expectations on how life should go: great job out of college, married by 25, several children by 30, retire by 60, etc. But more often than not, life does not meet our expectations and we face disappointment (get dumped, financial loss, get fired, death of someone close, illness, etc.) In these times of disappointment life can be frustrating at best and meaningless at worst. We know God is in control but we feel trapped and unsure of what to do.
During our session we will look at the twelve disciples experience with Jesus in John 6 and talk practically about how we can walk by faith when we encounter these disappointments in life.

• Living with Sinners: The Glory of Christ in Family Life - Ben Hagerup
  

We all long for relationships. We look forward to the day when we can finally say “I do” and start living with the love of our life.  However it doesn't take long for us to see the sin in the sinner we married.  And if that isn't enough, soon kids come and add to the complexity of a house full of sinners.
As we look to the glory of Christ we will see it is the only answer to turn a family of sinners into a place of refuge. In Isaiah 30 we see we are no worse than the Israelites who rejected God's message and “relied on oppression and depended on deceit...Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.”

• Reaching the Culture: Manifesting the Glory of Christ among skeptics - Brian Parker

We marvel in the glory of Christ. With our eyes on Him we can't imagine anything better...because there isn't anything better. However the world around us is running after lies that leave them empty. How do we show them that only the glory of Christ will satisfy and God alone fills all our needs?
The glory of Christ can be used to draw skeptics and doubters to the Lord of glory. We will see the Lord's glory in Isaiah 43 and how that glory draws the lost and rebellious to Him. With the hope that it is all God's work and His tools in our belt we can have the front row seat to watch those in bondage freed because of the glory of Christ.

Christ ascended and is reigning on the throne, making his enemies a footstool for his feet. He has not only given us his promises of victory, but also his Spirit to do his all powerful work. Therefore, He tells us in Isaiah 54, "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back...For you will spread out"!  Get ready to see Christ's kingdom grow!

Christ will prevail and his enemies will be no more.  He will gather His people to Himself and wipe every tear and take away every pain.  Isaiah 60 tells the same story John writes about in Revelation 21&22.  We won't need the Sun for Christ's glory will shine completely, and we will celebrate and feast with him for all of eternity.  We will rest in the Ultimate REFUGE for all of eternity!

Registration

Registration closed, Wednesday, June 9 ^th.   If you have questions or want more information about registration, please email info@dm.org.

Costs

• Whole Conference Pricing:
  
• Singles: $205 (price is for single with roommates, private rooms cost more)
• Couples: $390
• Kids:
• 0-4 years: $25
• 5-12 years: $80
• 13+ years: $195
• Additional room: $110 (for larger families, you can add an additional room)
• Non-Overnight: $100 / person
• Part-Time Attendance Pricing (per adult):
  
• Friday - Saturday: $145
• Saturday - Sunday: $165
• Saturday Only: $55


• Costs cover materials, housing and meals (Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch), and must be received in order to complete your registration.
• For additional information or questions about family pricing for part-time attendance, email the Registrar.
• You can pay by credit card or electronic bank transfer during online registration, or by sending a check, cash, or money order by mail.
• If you selected "Pay Later" during registration, you can complete registration by Paying now.
• If sending payment by mail:
• Payments must be postmarked no later than Thursday, June 10, 2010.
• Please make checks out to Disciple Makers and write "Alumni Conference" in the memo line.
• Mail your payment to:
  
  DiscipleMakers
  P.O. Box 74
  State College, PA 16804-0074



Refunds

Refunds may be given until the registration deadline.  If an emergency arises, you can contact the Registrar by Wednesday, June 16th.  Any overpayment or credit will be automatically refunded after the conference ends.

Location

Conference Location

• Hotel style rooms in same building as dinning room and meeting rooms
• Each room has one queen, two twin beds, and a bathroom (linens provided).
• Space available in room for pack-n-play
• Large outdoor pool
• Hiking trails
• Playgrounds
• Gymnasium
• Lake with water slide 

What to bring and not to bring:

• Bedding and towels ARE provided
  
• Pool towels ARE provided
• You will want to bring swimming suits and kids pool toys or floaties
• Refrigerators ARE available for any special needs
• Pack-n-plays and booster seats are limited.  Bring if possible

Activities and Kids

Child Care:

• Provided free of charge during all sessions (Team of Child Care providers will include current students involved with DM and DM staff.)
  
• VBS for the Kids
  
• If you have any specific questions on child care please contact info@dm.org.
  

• Swimming at the Pool
  
• Lake Water slide
  
• Staff vs Alumni Volleyball Tournament
  
• Boccie Ball
  
• Late night board games
  
• DM Internship Reunion