Central Plains Conference

This past weekend three of the five members from the Seeds of the Kingdom team attended the Central Plains Conference in Lincoln Nebraska. (Matt and Elizabeth were finishing up their Anabaptist history tour in Europe) It was a wonderful time of meeting members and leaders in the conference, getting to know some youth and young adults, and being challenged to an authentic faith that builds community through hospitality, humility and hope. The three day conference also had business meetings, workshops, and evening activities to fill out the time.

Our team was able to lead a workshop for youth called “Who Wants to be a Dirk?” As we told the story of Dirk Williams, we challenged the participants to live out a difficult but important commandment to love our enemies - something that will surely make us counter cultural to the society we live in. There were lots of other highlights as well. Whether it was Michele Hershberger’s challenging sermons in the worship services, the table talks that brought up difficult issues in the business meetings, or playing ultimate Frisbee with the youth Friday night.

Overall, a highlight was simply being able to meet so many different people from the Central Plains Conference. For me, being from Pennsylvania and a member of the Lancaster Conference, it was especially nice to be able to put a “face” on the Central Plains, and their members. I witnessed first hand just how hospitable and welcoming these people are. Im especially thinking of people like Kim and Sheila Eberspacher who welcomed us into their home for three nights, and the Burkey family who is donating their van to our team this summer so that we have a way to travel around. Finally, Im grateful to the many people I saw and conversed with at conference who I hope I can better get to know this summer as we make it to their home communities and churches. (Im already signed up for a 5 mile run with Dean, a youth from Montana!). To the Central Plains, thank you for welcoming us to your conference, and I am excited to fellowship more with you this coming summer.