1999 Global Mission Events Feature "Next Century" Theme

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Global Mission Events (GME) -- opportunities for people to learn about global and local mission, participate in Bible studies, attend a variety of workshops, hear inspirational speakers, and enjoy music and food -- are scheduled at three sites in the United States this summer under the theme "Walking Together into the Next Century."
This summer's events are scheduled July 15-18 at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.; July 23-25 at the Marriott World Center, Orlando, Fla.; and July 29-Aug. 1 at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
Global Mission Events are sponsored by the Division for Global Mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), with the support of other ELCA units. Local volunteer committees working with the division help organize the GMEs. Ruth Haak, manager for resources and logistics, ELCA Division for Global Mission, is coordinating local space arrangements.
"This is a real team effort involving people from the churchwide office, regions, synods and more than 100 local volunteers," said the Rev. Margarita Martinez, associate director for global events, ELCA Division for Global Mission.
Scheduled as featured speakers and workshop leaders at each event are the Rev. David M. Beckmann, an ELCA pastor who is president of Bread for the World, an ecumenical advocacy organization concerned with hunger issues; Dr. Mercy Amba Oduyoye, professor and founder, Institute of Women in Religion and Culture, Trinity Theological College, Accra, Ghana; and Pauline Nygard, a young missionary who grew up in Cameroon. Nygard's parents, the Rev. Mark L. and Linda Nygard, are now missionaries in Senegal.
The Rev. Ruben Duran, executive for congregational outreach, ELCA Division for Outreach, will lead workshops and preach at Sunday worship services.
Attendance at each event is expected to range from 450 to as many as 1,500 people, Martinez said.
"The people in the pews are eager to listen and learn what our church is doing in mission," she said. "This (GME) is always an attraction because we consider ourselves to be a church that is in mission."
Families are welcome and encouraged to attend. Child care is provided, and there are programs for junior and senior high school youths and for adults, Martinez said.
"This is the only ELCA event that is completely intergenerational," she said.
The 1999 GMEs will emphasize "Jubilee 2000/USA," an international campaign for the new millennium to forgive huge international debts held by some of the world's poorest countries, Martinez said.
In addition to plenary sessions and worship, workshops and seminars, known as the "Global University," are highlights of each Global Mission Event, Martinez said. As many as 70 workshops and seminars are held at a typical GME, she said. Some of the topics at this year's Global University include Jubilee 2000/USA; the plight of refugees; the changing face of Lutheranism; international volunteer opportunities; how Christianity and Islam can work together; mission work in Africa, Middle East, Asia, Latin America and North America; mission in the 21st century; and the multicultural church.
A highlight of each GME is the GlobalFest, Martinez said. GlobalFest features interactive exhibits, stage presentations, music, dance and dress from various parts of the world. GlobalFest is led by missionaries, international students and others in mission, she said.
Global Mission Events are open to anyone.
"A Global Mission Event is an experience," Martinez said. "You will enjoy and interact with people of other cultures. You will learn and stretch your mind to the world."

[Editors: The registration deadline for all events is June 15.
Participants can register for all or part of a Global Mission Event.
Registration information can be found on the World Wide Web at
www.elca.org/dgm/gme, or call 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2642.]

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html