All Staff Conference-Update

David told the staff, “This is my last big first!”

And in many ways, the recently completed All Staff Conference was probably the biggest of the “firsts” we have experienced since coming to Entrust. Over 120 staff members and guests gathered at a very reasonably priced seaside “resort”. We will be coy about the location for reasons detailed below, but you were more likely to hear German, Russian and Ukrainian before you heard English spoken among the busloads of tourists that we rubbed shoulders with. 

It was a beautiful setting, if a bit cool, and provided some relaxation and recreation while the staff went through an ambitious week long schedule.  This was “big” because gathering everyone together in one place tends to be a defining moment for the organization and this would be the first time we had the opportunity to address issues and answer questions with everyone present.

Some of our highlights:

Initiative. I sensed a dramatic shift away from speaking of ministry limitations to enthusiastic discussion of ministry possibilities.

Engagement. We have worked and prayed for unity around the direction of Entrust. There were dynamic conversations between staff and board from sunrise, way past sunset!

Finishing.  In our last session, I challenged our staff to finish well. The baby boomers in our staff have had a great run, but they also hold the institutional knowledge accumulated in the last 30+ years and we need them to prepare the way for a whole new generation of “trainers of trainers.” I want our new recruits to be able to count on this wise counsel and support as they blaze new trails into new regions for the glory of Christ.

Family Fun Night
"The Monotones"

Team Building Exercise

Women's Gathering

• In-depth discussions of launching Men to Men Ministry Training. This is an exciting development with all sorts of implications for ministry at home and abroad.
  
  
• Positive response from staff on expansion into India and the Far East. There was a lot of interest in understanding the strategies and the implications for other new initiatives Entrust will undertake.
  
  
• Outstanding video production of regional updates and of staff providing reflective thinking on the conference themes. Our communications team worked long and hard to collect hours of video clips from the staff and distilled those into short presentations which had great impact in short bursts of time.
  
  
• Encouraging times of worship, prayer and interaction, enjoying the presence of the Lord! We had special prayer times for the staff of each region as well as times of prayer and reflection at both the beginning and end of each day.
  

Family Update
Sophie Lynn Goodman was born on 4-11-11 at 11:34 pm, 6 pounds, 9 ounces,19 ¼”  Since we were in Turkey, we were very thankful for Skype video capabilities for staying in communication throughout the labor and delivery.  We did get to visit them for three days early this month, after our return – Wonderful time of celebrating one of God’s incredible miracles.  Sophie is already over a month old and has grown so much!

Would you like to see more pictures from the All Staff Conference?  Please click this link to see them on the Entrust Facebook page:  All Staff Conference 2011