Jeff Adams

I can’t imagine why anyone might be interested in this level of detail, but sometimes people ask what it is that I do when I am at a conference like this. So, here are a few highlights from my day.  I began with a 7:00am meeting with the senior pastor and several associates from the church where I formerly was pastor in San Salvador, El Salvador. I am speaking there the last of next month and we were coordinating the details. It’s been years since I spoke there and I’m excited for the opportunity to reconnect.

Once again I had my teaching session on making disciples at 8:00am. There are always people with questions and comments afterwards. One of the biggest personal blessings  from being here this week is meeting people who were in the conference here where I spoke in 1984. Sometimes people are very kind to say that they remember that I spoke and they were blessed, but several people this week have been able to tell me what I preached and even remember the main points and illustrations that I used. I couldn’t have told you that and I was the one doing the preaching! I guess when someone says that what I said was a turning point in their life I have to take their word for it when they can remember what I said better than I can. Seriously, I am very thankful for that sort of feedback.

I spent some time with representatives of a church in the heart of Panama City, consulting with them on applying principles of making disciples of professional people in a very multicultural city. At one point I was engaged with one of the seminary leaders here discussing the state of theological education in Central America. I can tell you that it is far advanced from what it was when I lived here many years ago. To see positive changes and maturity has been a real encouragement this week. Late in the afternoon I joined several of the other speakers and some seminary officials in a television program  where we answered questions about the Central American church and missions. I  also had several conversations about working with our alliance of churches that share ministry to a specific group of people in the Middle East.

One of the day’s highlights was a lengthy conversation with another high-powered young woman. This young marketing executive is from Central Mexico and has been actively involved in significant missionary activities on several continents. Her vision is to take on human trafficking in South Africa using her professional skills. What a refreshing conversation to see the passion burning inside of her to make a difference. She the talent, training, energy, courage and contacts to be used in a significant way.

Our evening session just finished and the speaker was one of my favorites from this week. He is a dynamic Brazilian named Valdir Steuernagel. He is a powerful communicator and quite a thinker.

It’s late and I’m tired.  In the morning I finish my speaking responsibilities by finishing up the teaching on making disciples. The conference ends in the evening and I head home around noon Saturday.