Twenty-one countries of the world answered the roll call, as one delegate from each of those countries took a little blue and white candle (Finland's colors) and opened the third Trienniel Conference of the City Mission World Association in Helsinki, Finland, Aug. 14-19, 1997, hosted by the City Mission Association of Finland. It reminded all of us of the candles held three years earlier in Washington, DC, as we stood together in "His Light," and went from there back to our places of service throughout the world. Now, standing together in Helsinki, 120 plus joined hands and hearts as we celebrated what God has been doing, and plans to do in urban centers of the world. We heard the reports from the far corners of the world. We saw the slides of the hundreds of street children being reached in Manila by Lilia Reyes and Reaching Youth, Inc., just a dream at our first meeting. We heard the passion of freedom, as well as the fear of government interference from those from the former Soviet block nations. Just to think that today, in places like Moscow; Tallen, Estonia; Rega, Latvia; Rouse, Bulgaria, just to name a few, rescue ministries are being publicly carried out. But success has brought challenges, for in countries like India, religious strife and intolerance to Christian evangelism makes ministry difficult, but the ministries from Bombay and Bangalore shared their amazing growth and victories. Bombay City Mission's work with orphans grows and grows with over 40 now in their small facilities. When we visited, there were 17. On Monday, the Conference moved from Helsinki to Tampere, Finland, where we were hosted by the Tampere City Mission. We were received at the Old City Hall by the city's Vice Mayor and the Board and Staff of the mission. We visited several of their sites and ended our visit with a "Salmon Dinner" and evening program. Maurice Vanderberg spoke on "Renewing Our Vision." The last day, we held a praise time, followed by a sharing of prayer requests. A sample of the Praises were: In the Lord, we are all brothers and sisters wherever we come from. (American) I thank God for the unity of City Missions and the help IUGM and CMWA has given those taking care of the poor in the third world. (African) Thank God for the vision of this conference and that we might take it home to our missions and churches. (Swedish) Praise God for the increase in city mission workers. Our staff has grown from 12 to 7. (American) I thank God for the encouragement from each person and how my vision has been enlarged. I now under stand what a city mission is. (Indian [India]) We asked for delegates to share prayer requests and we asked delegates to make a list
so they would continue to pray for the needs. Here are some of those requests:
We closed on Tuesday, after five days of wonderful Finnish hospitality. THANK YOU to Raimo Sinkkonen and all those who made this a successful time. We got a flavor of Finland with outstanding special music, even a Finnish Barbershop Quartet.
As we said goodbye, we added, "See you in Glasgow," for the 4th Triennial Conference will return to where it all began - Glasgow, Scotland - in the year 2000, as we join together to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of David Nasmith, founder of the city mission movement with our host being that very first mission - the Glasgow City Mission. Approximately 40 of the 120 delegates visited Berlin for a Pre-Conference as part of the 120th Anniversary of the Berlin City Mission. Rev. and Mrs. Vasil Dimitrov, Rouse, Bulgaria, would get the dexterity award for driving first to Berlin and then driving 1,200 miles through eight countries to join us in Helsinki. The amazing changes and how the Berlin City Mission is responding to them was worth the trip to Berlin.
Stephen Burger is the Executive Director of the International Union of Gospel Missions, an association of 270 city missions, serving the homeless and other needy people primarily in North America.
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