We’ve rebranded! Our annual Missions Conference is now, “ENGAGE Conference,” and from September 5th through the 8th, the Engagement Teams are planning a full weekend of ways for you to...
Learn about GBC’s long history of supporting missionaries
Hear from current Grace-supported engagement workers locally and around the world
Learn how YOU can get engaged!
Through guest speakers, hearing personal stories of life in ministry and the work, diving deeper into praying for our engagement partners and workers, and learning about populations who are still unreached, we hope each person at Grace feels more connected to the work the church is supporting and ready to ENGAGE themselves!
| CONFERENCE EVENTS |
WOMEN OF GRACE DINNER & SPEAKER
Thursday, September 5 | 6:30 PM | GBC Student Center
Another year of Women of Grace kicks off with dinner and information on how you can get involved with Women of Grace events, Bible Studies, and more. Our guest speaker, Barb Carl, will talk to us about how EQUIPing through Bible studies and doctrinal training prepares us to ENGAGE.
The cost is $15 per person.
CONNECTIONS & CONVERSATIONS DINNER
Friday, September 6 | 6:00 PM | Museum of Biblical Art
Join us for a special dinner in the beautiful setting of the Museum of Biblical Art to learn more about GBC’s engagement efforts, get inspired by our keynote speaker, and be encouraged by the stories of those who are making a difference.
Our guest speaker will be Kurt Nelson, CEO of East-West Ministries. Kurt is a Grace-sent Global Engagement Worker. Grace also supports another unit of East-West Engagement Workers whose information we withhold for their safety.
As Chief Executive Officer of East-West, Kurt Nelson provides leadership and oversight to all worldwide ministry endeavors in the more than 40 countries in which East-West currently operates. After serving with East-West for 13 years, Nelson became President and CEO in June 2010. In 2024, Kristen Shuler assumed the role of President while Kurt remains CEO. Prior to East-West, he served as Vice President of Global Missions Fellowship (GMF, now e3 Partners).
Kurt holds an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina, a Master of Theology in World Missions from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in Missions Leadership from Columbia International University.
Please Note: The event is now free with a suggested donation amount of $25 per ticket. All proceeds go to the Grace Bible Church Special Missions Fund to support global engagement workers and partners around the world. Please register below because there are a limited number of tickets.
All are invited, but space will be limited. This event includes dinner and viewing of museum exhibits from 6:00-7:00 PM. The dinner is gluten-free with the exception of rolls and dessert. The Museum of Biblical Art is not sponsoring or partnering with this event.
God says, “For my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations..” (Isaiah 56:7)
Join us for a complimentary breakfast and visit with engagement workers sharing how God is answering prayer around the world and hear what He is doing right here in Dallas. We will then have a short time of prayer.
Our guest speaker will be Carlton Oby, President and CEO of Mercy Street Dallas, a Christ-Centered Youth Development Organization. Mercy Street is a Local Engagement Partner of Grace Bible Church.
Mr. Oby grew up in West Dallas, has a BS Degree from Texas College, and has engaged in studies at Dallas Theological Seminary.
Carlton has worked with young people and their families for over 25 years. Carlton is married to Denita, his lifelong partner, and together they are proud parents of six children, one of whom is a member of the graduating class of 2024.
All are invited, but space will be limited. Breakfast provided.
You’re invited to dinner in the home of a church member. In this smaller group setting, you will get to know a Grace engagement worker as they share their experiences and ministry work.
More information to come on home groups and Grace engagement workers.
Space will be limited at each home, but attempts will be made to accommodate all who are interested in attending. Dinner is provided by the host home.
ENGAGE CONFERENCE SUNDAY MORNING CELEBRATION
Sunday, September 8 | Starting at 9:00 AM | Grace Bible Church
The conference will culminate in a celebratory and informative Sunday morning featuring engagement workers sharing throughout our building, from Grace Kids to Adult Bible Classes to tables in the Commons, and a guest keynote speaker in worship services.
The Engagement Teams are excited to host Dave Rafkahr, Executive Director of Via (formerly, Center for Mission Mobilization) as our keynote speaker during worship services in the Sanctuary. Mr. Rofkahr’s organization, Via, has been working with the Global Engagement Team to educate them on global missions efforts.
Dave and Michelle have dedicated more than thirty years of their lives to full-time ministry, working to advance the cause of Christ worldwide by equipping local church leaders in Asia and serving as senior executive mission leadership in the US.
The Rafkahr’s ministry journey started in college as they grew in faith through the ministry of Cru at the University of Kansas. Following graduation and their marriage in 1985, they launched into full-time Christian work reaching students with Student Mobilization (StuMo) at the University of Arkansas and later opening the StuMo campus work at the University of Central Arkansas.
Dave and Michelle’s heart for seeing the nations reached grew tremendously as they took part in the Perspectives missions course. As Dave was completing his Masters of Theology at Dallas Seminary, he sensed God directing their ministry toward equipping house-church leaders in Asia. Dave and Michelle joined EFCA ReachGlobal and moved to Asia with their two young sons and soon welcomed a daughter. Following their service and leadership in Asia, Dave was asked to return to the US to join the senior leadership team of ReachGlobal to recruit a new generation of laborers for the harvest. Having a strong passion for reaching the unreached, Dave recently accepted the position of Executive Director for the Center for Mission Mobilization (now, Via).
In the Rofkahrs’ words, “It is our passion to live life in such a way that at its end we will have left nothing on the table and have no regrets—having made the most of the talents and opportunities entrusted to us by the Lord to reach the least, the last, and the lost in our world.”
More information to come on other happenings around our campus for Sunday, September 8.
Our guest speaker will be Kurt Nelson, CEO of East-West Ministries. Kurt is a Grace-sent Global Engagement Worker. Grace also supports another unit of East-West Engagement Workers whose information we withhold for their safety.
Our guest speaker will be Carlton Oby, President and CEO of Mercy Street Dallas, a Christ-Centered Youth Development Organization. Mercy Street is a Local Engagement Partner of Grace Bible Church.
The Engagement Teams are excited to host Dave Rafkahr, Executive Director of Via (formerly, Center for Mission Mobilization) as our keynote speaker during worship services in the Sanctuary. Mr. Rofkahr’s organization, Via, has been working with the Global Engagement Team to educate them on global missions efforts.