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Westminster Presbyterian Church in Johnson City will host Mark Bates, senior director for U.S. operations with Mission to the World (MTW), as keynote speaker during the church’s annual Missions Conference, Wednesday-Sunday, Feb. 28-March 3.
This year’s theme, “Sharing the Hope of the Gospel with a Troubled World,” is based on 1 Peter 1:3: “According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (ESV)
“Our emphasis this year is on the hope found in the good news in Jesus Christ,” says Mark Williams, Westminster’s coordinator for missions. “Through our support of missionaries in the U.S. and around the world, we have the privilege of sharing the Gospel message about eternal life and joy found in Christ alone.”
Mark Bates will speak on the impact of the Gospel message in missions work. Bates has a B.A. in Greek from Bryan College and a master’s degree from Reformed Theological Seminary. He served as youth and singles pastor at Orangewood Church in Maitland, Fla. In 1991, Bates and his wife, Tricia, founded University Presbyterian Church in Orlando, Fla. From 2007 to 2021, he served as senior pastor of Village Seven Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Bateses have three daughters.
Also speaking at the conference will be Ellen Barnett (MTW missionary, Mexico) and Jon Egeler (director, Mission Safety International), along with campus ministers Graham Guo (MTW/Reformed University Fellowship International), Will Barbour (Reformed University Fellowship, ETSU), and Earle Chute (CRU/Faculty Commons, ETSU).
The Wednesday session on Feb. 28 begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall with dinner followed by missionary reports. On Friday, March 1, a pizza dinner begins at 6 p.m., followed by reports and a panel discussion from campus ministers. This program, about preparing spiritually for college, is targeted for youth, their parents, and college students, but all are welcome.
Visitors and members are asked to sign up for Wednesday and Friday evening dinners with an email message to rhorvath@wpcjc.org. For the Wednesday evening dinner, the cost is $8 for those age 11 and older, $5 for children 10 and younger, with a maximum per family of $25; there is no charge for the Friday meal.
The Saturday morning session on March 11 begins at 9:30 a.m. with refreshments and informal talks, including a sharing/prayer time with missionaries. On Sunday, a combined Sunday School session with speaker Bates and missionaries begins at 9:45 a.m. in the sanctuary, for all youth and adult classes. Two worship services will be held in the sanctuary, at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.