THE STATE of children in Jamaica and around the world, will be the focus of this year's missions conference entitled "Children at Risk," which is being staged by the Swallowfield Chapel from May 26 - 28.
The annual conference which opens at 7:00 p.m. with a free session and Youth Forum on Friday, May 26 will be held at the church at 9 Swallowfield Road in Kingston.
According to Chapel representative, Mrs. Tabatha Reese, "The aim of this year's conference is for individuals to leave with a greater awareness of the state of children around the world and how we can all make a difference by getting involved both locally and overseas.
A FITTING TOPIC
"We believe that 'Children at Risk' is a fitting topic because of the challenges which our children and young people face as they try to survive in an increasingly hostile world. Additionally, May is recognised as Child Month, so this is a good time to draw people's attention to these issues."
ISSUES
Global issues affecting children such as child abuse, war, child trafficking, and poverty will be examined by presenter Dr. C. Douglas McConnell, Dean and Associate Professor of Leadership in the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Dr. McConnell who holds an MA in Missiology and a PhD in Intercultural Studies, along with his wife Janna, spent 15 years as missionaries in Australia and Papua New Guinea with Asia Pacific Christians Mission (APCM, now PIONEERS). He is also a published author.
"Every year we host the missions conference as a service to the public. We examine issues from a global, as well as local perspective because we realise that the church has a major role to play through ministry and advocacy," adds Reese, The rest of the conference which ends on May 28 targets specially invited guests.
