Join us for Ignite! During this event, you will have an opportunity to learn from missionaries, church planters, and leaders who serve in local, national, and international ministries. Our main sessions will be a time of worship and celebration followed by inspirational teaching from our keynote speaker, Dr. Paul Chitwood. Engage in a variety of impactful breakout sessions where you will hear stories from the field that highlight how God is at work and how we can join Him in it. Our hope is that whether you’re called to serve across the street or across the world, Ignite will help you discover how you can join God’s mission.
Dr. Paul Chitwood
President, International Mission Board
Paul Chitwood was elected president of the IMB in November 2018. He previously had served as executive director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention since 2011. For 18 years prior to that, Chitwood served as the pastor of local churches of varying sizes in Kentucky. During his pastorates, he served as chairman of the International Mission Board’s trustees from 2008-10, part of his tenure as an IMB trustee from 2002-10. A native of Jellico, Tenn., Chitwood is a 1992 graduate of Cumberland College and earned the Master of Divinity and Ph.D. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a master’s degree in nonprofit administration from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame. He served as a faculty member of the seminary between 2002 and 2018.
He and his wife, Michelle, have four children.
What No Other Religion Can Offer
The Gospel tells us what God has done for us in Christ. This and this alone has brought ultimate peace. It is therefore vital to understand and be able to communicate this message. This breakout will biblically define the Gospel and show how the Gospel provides fuel for the enduring mission. We will also explore some of the challenges that come when we share the Gospel with those from different faith backgrounds and look at some practical tips for sharing the Gospel (especially among Muslims).
Ministry in a Works-Based World
This breakout will examine the need for missions in areas that have had some sort in influence by the church for longer than the USA has been in existence. Portugal will be used as an example to show how the existence of churches and spiritual vocabulary does not equal having access by faith to the throne of grace. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of the need for missions in southern Europe and better equipped to take the gospel to their neighbor.
Even When the Mission Gets Hard, Rejoice
What happens when you’re doing your best to follow God, but things don’t turn out the way you hoped? When the prayers seem unanswered, the hard work doesn’t seem to pay off, or you never get to see the results? Join us as we learn from Habakkuk how to say, “Yet I will rejoice.” Discover how we can have lasting joy even when life is hard, circumstances change, and we don’t see the fruit we hoped for-and why our deepest joy isn’t found in what God gives us, but in God Himself.
When Things Don’t Go How You Thought They Would
How do we stay faithful when doors close, plans change, and expectations aren’t met? In this breakout we explore how God uses unexpected challenges to grow our faithfulness and keep us focused on His mission.
The Lifelong Call of a Missionary
This breakout session will explore how those on mission can endure unexpected trials through God’s calling on your life. Drawing from over three decades of ministry experience, this breakout will help you prepare for challenges, navigate setbacks, and develop the endurance needed to remain faithful for years to come.
A Pursuit Like Paul
Pursuing godly character is a must for missionary activity. We, like the apostle Paul, should be able to tell those we are discipling and training, “Follow my example”. What a bold statement to be able to make. Paul’s statements like this are also combined with his humility in admitting failures. In this breakout we will talk about Paul’s patterns in ministry, how he went about it with character, and how we can pursue this as well.
For Those Who Have Yet to Hear
In many parts of the world, people struggle to find meaning, purpose, and hope. Hear how God is working in Japan through college students and university professors, and discover how the Gospel offers lasting hope where other answers fall short. Learn how cultural worldviews shape people’s understanding of hope and how believers can share the hope of Christ.
Persevering When The Mission Gets Hard
Whatever your missional calling is the pages of scripture paints a clear picture, “The mission won’t be easy.” How do we as believers stand in grace through opposition, fear, failure and fatigue? Learn how the very grace that saves you is the very grace that sustains you in the mission.