 Plans continue to be made for the exciting New England Christian Conference (NECC) set for August 28-30, 2009. With the hand off in leadership this year, from New Hampshire’s Mike Fix to Mark Buchholz from Boston – new director of the conference, a team has been formed to pray, invite and schedule one of the pinnacle events of each year in our area.
 This year’s NECC is entitled, “Rejoice!” For the first time ever, our conference will run concurrently with the International Praise and Worship Conference. Also a first, both conferences will be held in beautiful, downtown Providence, Rhode Island.
The format this year includes a Friday afternoon staff training time, a Friday night small group leader’s workshop and the full Saturday and Sunday for all New England disciples and friends.
Once again, there are powerful sessions laid out for pre-teens, teens and even elementary-aged children. Confirmed speakers for the keynote addresses already include Tom Brown from Atlanta, Gordon Ferguson from Phoenix and Gloria Baird from Los Angeles.
In addition to learning, inspiration will be in large supply at this year’s NECC. Team leaders for the 2010 Portland, Maine, mission team will be announced. There will be good news from around New England regarding elders being appointed, staff being hired and much more. You’ll be updated on the first planting in years sent out cooperatively by the New England churches – Storrs, Connecticut. Already they have seen three baptisms in the first five months of their existence.
Talented musician and evangelist Jeff Schachinger from Southern Connecticut is the coordinator for the Worship and Praise part of the conference. Boston’s Joe Gattozzi continues to do a fantastic job as the chief administrator of the NECC’s facility, finances, fun and food.
As if all this were not enough, the Boston church will be celebrating her 30th birthday! Many who have been a part of this church’s thrilling history will be back in New England to celebrate and share with us. Let’s be praying for the 2009 NECC. Let’s also be planning to participate fully ourselves. And you don’t have to wait until the conference to begin rejoicing. I think the apostle Paul said it best in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
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