Portugal meeting

Two weeks ago, I (Gina) had the privilege to participate in a meeting in Portugal, near Lisbon. Our regional communication coordinator, Dennis Mohn, had met a group of young people from Spain and Portugal during the leadership conference at EuNC in January. The young people are all studying or are professionals in a variety of communication skills -- video production, website design, graphic design and mass communications.

They have felt called by God to use these skills to serve Him, and have been trying to determine what shape that might take. They invited our team to meet with them in Portugal in March to dream and brainstorm how their skills can serve God.

Dennis, Tiki (my fellow communications volunteer) and I flew out to Portugal on Thursday, spent Friday getting acquainted with these young people and then met for the whole day on Saturday to hear their dreams and vision, and to offer resources and suggestions for ways we can work together.

It was interesting to see their visions take shape. The young people from Portugal feel a strong desire to help their churches build a cohesive and unified image and message through various forms of social media, and through graphic imagery. They want to help the churches increase their professionalism in use of media.

The young people from Spain felt a calling to form a communications business through which they could make contact and build relationships with those who don't yet know God, and to assist nonprofit organizations with objectives similar to our church.

We all hope that in the coming months, as we continue to dialogue, that we can see what God is doing and how He is doing it, so we can get involved.

It was so much fun for me meet more young people who are so passionate for God and for serving Him, as well as for reaching out to people who aren't part of the "family" yet. (It was also awesome to brush up on my rudimentary Spanish, which I really miss.)

And then I remained in Lisbon for a few extra days, where Daniela, one of the young people, showed me around. :-) I'll be posting photos soon at my photo website.

Pray for God's continued anointing, direction and guidance, and for clarity as these young people move forward in their plans.