Global Partner Gathering

From June 16-20th, 43 Global Partners, 35 children, and 22 Park team members met in Turkey for the Global Partner Gathering. In the mornings, partners worshiped in English, heard relevant messages from Park's former lead pastor, and shared their joys and challenges from the past year. In the afternoons and evenings, they took advantage of the resort, signed up for optional counseling sessions, and enjoyed meals together.

Meeting and encouraging each other was a highlight for many partners. From church planting in the Middle East to teaching English in Southeast Asia, partners gleaned from each other's experiences and shared common joys and challenges. A few also mentioned how the gathering came at a needed time to be recharged.

Both partners and team members alike recognized the unique gift of such a large scale event from a sending church. One team member said: "Park is in a relatively rare space among American churches of not only having a heart for the nations and dedicating prayer and sermon time to the idea, but also of sending workers out into the field of harvest God has prepared." Here's a few highlights from our partners, team members, and kids workers:

Here's what some Global Partners are saying about their time in Turkey: 

• We feel overwhelmed with gratitude. This is such a refreshment.
• We are reminded that we are not alone in persevering and following Him to the ends of the earth. Our hearts and our souls are refueled. Our vision for this work is becoming clearer.
• This week we rejoiced with those who rejoice and wept with those who weep.
• There is a deep well of joy when I think about our time together.

Team members also expressed the impact of the Gathering: 

• My heart is burdened to pray more for Christians around the world and is challenged to be more bold because of the example of these Christians.
• Ongoing prayers for these kids and their families are absolutely essential.
• God is moving in the far reaching corners of the world.
• [This trip] renewed my passion for Global ministry.

From 6 months to 15 years old, 35 kids were well loved by the Park team, made new friends, and learned about God! Park's kids team designed their own curriculum with the unique experiences of Third Culture Kids (TCKs) in mind.

A few teachers were a part of the kids team and were able to bless partners with their expertise. Hannah described her experience engaging with parents making educational decisions: "I had lunch several days with Global Partners who had questions about which schools and grades to enroll their children in and which resources they could use to teach their children at home. I provided resources, advice, and a sounding board to several families and exchanged contact information so I can continue to be an ongoing resource to them. Being an educational consultant to Global Partners is something I am interested in continuing to do, and I would not have become aware of that need without going on this trip."