Tag: IAFR Conference

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2020 IAFR Conference

A view of some of the participants in the online version of the 2020 IAFR Conference – photo: Tim Barnes, IAFR

It wasn’t the context we wanted. Many of us were grieving that we were unable to meet in-person…we weren’t able to give a hug, take a walk, share a meal…the list goes on.

But we pulled it off. More than 40 of us from across the globe met a few hours each day this week. We listened to those who carry the story of forced displacement. Reports were given about what God is doing around the IAFR world. Meeting in breakout groups, we shared, listened and prayed. And through the presentations and bonus sessions, we became better “reflective practitioners”.

Here’s hoping that we can gather together next year. In the meantime, my friends and colleagues, show up each day to help people survive and recover from forced displacement and keep on being “rebels for the kingdom”.

What a great few days!

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Old Things in New Ways

Preparing to share Communion with our team at the 2019 IAFR Conference – photo by Tom Albinson, IAFR

Among other things in my schedule today was work on the IAFR Annual Staff Conference, scheduled for August. Yeah, it is happening…sort of.

With travel and social distancing restrictions and the lack of a Covid-19 vaccine, trying to bring a global team together physically is not possible. So keeping with most of our other meetings, we will be taking it to Zoom.

I have to admit, there is a grieving aspect in the midst of the planning. IAFR is a relational organization and we love being together. With that said, we are committed to bring the best of who we are to this virtual gathering. Doing an old thing in a new way.

If you have attended a virtual conference that you thought went well, tell me why in the comments. I am interested to hear some good ideas.

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Post Conference

IAFR Staff 2018 – photo credit: Tom Albinson – IAFR

So much of my time these past few weeks has been in preparation for the 2018 IAFR Conference, the annual gathering of our global staff.  Despite a hiccup or two, the week went well.  Conversations, worship and devotional teaching, training and discussion sessions, times of prayer, plus fun activities led to a week of refreshment, challenge, and encouragement.  Our growing team was represented by people from the U.S., Canada, Iraq, Philippines, Somalia, Scotland, and South Africa.  What an exciting, diverse team.  

The challenges remain large but I believe we left encouraged and ready to press on.  Now back to the daily grind of living the Kingdom of God among those who have been displaced.

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Gathering

Today I am thinking about our team scattered around the world and in North America.  We now have over twenty team members giving themselves in service to those who have been forcibly displaced. Each one is having a significant impact in their locations. 

We gather our team together each year for a few days of refreshment, spiritual encouragement, training, learning, and connecting with each other.  Our gathering this year will take place in August, just south of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

So today I am working on some of the details of the IAFR Annual Conference.  And I am having lunch with our Spiritual Director for the week, my good friend Pastor Marty Hunt, to discuss his role with us.  I am already excited about August.