I, Katie, am coming off an incredible week of connection, profound teaching, worship, and renewal. I am grateful to have traveled to the Covenant’s Midwinter conference in Chicago the last week of January. Click here for a recap video and see if you can spot me 🙂 Despite the cold that I’m not used to, the week exceeded my expectations. I realized that it had been 8 years since the last time I was able to be present at a Midwinter. So, I soaked up every minute of the week. This meant early mornings and late nights. It was worth it as I was able to see friends from around the country all in one place. 

The reason I was able to attend this year was that I was invited by Serve Globally to co-facilitate a workshop. It was entitled, “Courageous Curiosity: Transformation in Mission.” I felt so honored to co-lead with Grace Shim, Executive Minister of Serve Globally, and Dale Lusk, Director of Global Engagements for Serve Globally. We led the workshop during two different sessions and had a great variety of pastors, leaders, and global personnel participate. We looked at what it means to host the stranger in our local context. And how when we are humble and open, those we host can actually host us. We also addressed what it means to be hosted in global partnerships. All requires humility, courage, renouncing of power/control, and curiosity. 

I was also invited to be on a panel during a lunch hosted by Serve Globally. The focus of the panel was peacebuilding. I sat alongside people I admire greatly and from whom I have so much to learn. We each shared a bit about the context in which we serve, what peacebuilding looks like, how it is central to the gospel of Jesus, and what steps people can take in their own context. I wish it had been recorded. It was so powerful. I shared specifically about the work of youth peacebuilders in Colombia through Be Peace Make Peace and ArtPeace. 

On Tuesday night I was invited to come up on stage, alongside Grace Shim and Adam Edgerly (Director of Covenant World Relief), and the other panelists to once again highlight the peacebuilding work the Covenant partners in around the world. 

Throughout the week I was able to connect with pastors of our supporting churches, life-long friends and supporters. I was challenged and equipped in the NextGen event that preceded Midwinter as I learned from incredible children and youth ministers.I spent time with colleagues, which involved lots of laughter and sharing of stories and life. The worship and the teaching times were life-giving. I was reminded over and over again that God is trustworthy and able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. I left with such a full heart. It was beautiful and sacred. Add to that the fact I was able to spend a couple days in Minnesota with family and friends, and it was a pretty incredible trip.