“Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25 ESV)

“I sure wish I could take our missions program to the next level.”

“I feel like the only thing our Go team does is send money to our missionaries.”

“I wish our congregation knew our missionaries better.” 

“I wonder if our congregation could send one of its own to the mission field.”

These were some of the sentiments expressed at the Access 2022 conference held in Winona Lake, Indiana (July 15–17, 2022). Perhaps others have had similar thoughts.

As a result of Encompass’ formal presentation, break-out sessions, and one-on-one interactions, we were able to help address these concerns, answering pastors’ questions and giving them next steps toward making real, practical changes, offering them tools like Encounter and our Path series, which we developed with these very issues in mind. Our church mobilization representatives offer help in person or virtually so churches can take customized next steps for their missions programs. 

Many of our experienced global workers traveled a long distance to the conference to give personal ministry updates. Some of our newest appointees were there to explain their ministries and raise support.

Just as Hebrews 10 emphasizes, we need to attend our local church to encourage one another as we “see the day drawing near”. It is also helpful to attend regional and national gatherings to encourage one another and be encouraged as we see what God is doing. 

Such encouragement happened at Access. One pastor mentioned that Encompass’ presence was “just the shot in the arm” he needed for the international missions involvement of his church!

Encompass has many tools, and our presence at the Access conference is one of the best. Perhaps we will see you next year? 

Access 2023 will be in St. Petersburg, Florida, July 11–13, 2023. Stay tuned for more info to come!