“We had Iranian drones being shot down above our church last Sunday. How was your week?” That was how Gareth Franks (New Life Church, Abu Dhabi) started his talk at this year's Pillar International Conference in Edinburgh.
The statement reflected the international mix of individuals at the conference: representatives from an underground church in Morocco, an international church in Turkey, a church plant next to the Vatican, and thriving churches in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, as well as a lot of Americans, and Brits, from Exeter to Orkney—about 260 people in all.
'A conference with a difference'
Led by Liam Garvie and hosted by Charlotte Chapel, Pillar is a leaders’ conference with a difference. Pillar International aims to bring together like-minded Baptist churches "not as the frozen chosen but as the warm reformed", to encourage the building of partnerships between churches on different continents. Some come needing help, others come ready to partner, and there is time in the programme for intensive networking.
The main sessions this year expounded 1 Thessalonians, with preachers from North Carolina, Nepal, Puerto Rico, South Africa and Glenrothes! While Juan Sanchez may be known to some through the Gospel Coalition, it is refreshing to be fed by capable brothers whom I’ve never heard of, from every nation under heaven, and whose application of a familiar letter brought it to life in new ways.
Break-out sessions carried on the international contrast. Listening to Dave Kiehn from South Carolina describe his experience of revitalising an ageing suburban church echoed my own early years in ministry. Joshua Lemayian from Emmanuel Baptist Nairobi shared his passion for ministry training. He argued that while Africans are the best people to plant indigenous churches, the need for quality training of their leaders remains a continuing challenge which UK churches can partner to achieve.
This is a growing conference, and it has a mission. You don’t just turn up to receive, but to think about what you can give. If you’re a leader looking for something refreshing next year, maybe you should give it a try, while enjoying the beauties of Edinburgh as well!
