Conference 

1550s, “act of consulting together,” from French confrence (15c.), from Medieval Latin conferentia, from Latin conferens, present participle of conferre “to bring together; deliberate, talk over,” literally “to bring together,” from assimilated form of com “together”  {Online Etymology Dictionary}.

Give it up to the French and perhaps our medieval ancestors to develop a word that means “bring together.”  An appropriate word that fits a variety of venues including the one discussed here – Men’s Conference.

My first memory of a Men’s Conference was a place called Pine Cove which occurred soon after Serena and I were married. Fitting with the name, a thick pine forest covered the grounds and boasted a small lake.  This was a great weekend of fun activities, copious amounts of food, and inspirational challenge – culminating on a Sunday morning with a group of 200 men worshipping God together singing Rich Mullins “Our God is an Awesome God,” acapella. I still get chills reflecting on the power and spontaneity of God’s Spirit speaking in that moment. However, at the end of that song, unscripted and unannounced, a canoe was launched on the small lake in the foreground of the conference center, in plain view of all the men.  Suddenly one of the men stood up and exclaimed “Hey, that’s my suitcase and backpack on that canoe”!!!  At which time, the young nephew of said man entered the back door of the conference center, inconspicuously, with a grin on his face the size of Texas.    The laughter that ensued was also powerful and spontaneous. Though a sophomoric prank, it actually did not destroy the worship moment – the unmanned canoe accentuated our worship and encapsulated the entire weekend.  I believe it also began a new tradition that still may be practiced.

Men’s Conference is a “gathering together”, a discussion where all men make a contribution.   We are blessed to have Mission Springs as an incredible conference center venue in the Santa Cruz mountains only a few miles from the beach.  It is here we will gather next month and confer.

Though I have been to Mission Springs many times, each conference has its own incredible memories and transformational moments. Men taking first steps, next steps, and even total surrender to Jesus.  You see, where the Spirit of the LORD is (invited), there is freedom; there is power.

To all those attending the Men’s Conference, we promote and promise challenge, fun activities, inspiration, and tons of food, not to get you there, but to make you aware that God DELIVERS.  You just have to show up and be willing to receive.

The theme of this year’s conference is “NO REGRETS”, based on Philippians 3:13-14; “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.”

Men, we need to be together, for apart we fail.  We need to be challenged, in the absence of challenge is entropy. We need to be refueled and charged up!  Men, we need to be transformed to the likeness of our Savior and return to the valley as warriors of a Way.

Men, it is time bring together – to confer.

Men’s Conference is May 13-15 at Mission Springs.                           

Register at www.covenantgrove.org