LYNCHBURG, Va. — For the more than 400 people attending the MC2 conference July 19-24, the question, “What was your favorite part?” sparked a variety of responses.
Painting houses gave MC2 participants opportunities to share their faith.
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An 8-year-old responded, “My classes.”
A teenager answered, “Helping people.”
Other participants cited “the time of worship,” “the pool” and “the preacher.”
One 11th grader sat with grandparents and discussed questions he had regarding God and sin and how his sin affects others.
A 9th grader talked with his team leader about finding “the road” for his life.
Developing relationships is one of MC2's aims.
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MC2, or Missions Connection Celebration, is an annual summer event sponsored by Virginia Baptists which includes hands-on mission projects for all ages, multigenerational worship and dialogue with missionaries.
This year people from 42 Virginia Baptist churches and one South Carolina Baptist congregation gathered at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center to worship God by ministering and serving others.
Youth in grades 8-12 along with adult leaders dispersed across Lynchburg to share their faith in a variety of settings, from health-care facilities, to juvenile detention center, to a roofing project, to installing a ramp, to working with children at an apartment complex, to distributing bottled water. Youth and their leaders served in over 30 mission projects.
Next year’s MC2 will feature worship leader Danny Quirin of Bonsack Baptist Church in Roanoke.
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They also partnered with Stop Hunger Now, a hunger relief advocate, gathering in the worship center one afternoon and packing 30,000 meals within two hours. The meals will feed children in an orphanage in South Africa, their only meal for the day.
“MC2 is a great experience for our middle schoolers,” said Doug Harris, minister to youth at Warrenton (Va.) Baptist Church. “MC2 provides opportunities for our youth to experience a week-long camp, to develop their leadership skills, to grow in their relationships with their peers and God, to learn to minister with people who are not quite like them. It’s also a fun time for them!”
Next year’s MC2 will feature the contemporary worship band More Than Conquerers.
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Diane Smith, MC2 planning team leader, said work has begun on next year’s conference, set for July 25-30.
“Danny Quirin from Bonsack Baptist Church in Roanoke is our worship leader/ preacher for next year,” she said. “The worship band, More Than Conquerers, also is in place. We’re looking forward to what God will do at 2011 MC2.
“Add MC2 to your 2011 calendar and join us at Eagle Eyrie next year!” Smith said.
More information is available at www.vbmb.org.