The next day we had sessions the second half of the day. We learned all about telling MTOP's story and how to use different online tools to spread information to our community. Although it may not sound like it would be all that exciting, it was thrilling to see new technology that is available to us and to brainstorm different ways we could use them to share our story, and our mission. I'm pretty sure I took more notes than I ever did in any of my college classes (don't tell my parents). It was fun to hear the different things other groups were using and doing, and to think of the possibilities for MTOP. Honestly, it was a little overwhelming at times, hearing all this new information and new tools to use, ways to refine things we are doing, and new ways to approach our community. I tried to just soak it in and not to forget any of it, which had me writing like my life depended on it. We could hardly wait to start discussing all the different ideas when we finished up the session, and it was just the first session.
Wednesday, the rest of the groups arrived to join us in the next 7 sessions over the course of two days. These sessions covered a range of topics from technology, to food options, to roundtable discussions, to volunteer management and training. Each hour there were different options offered so everyone could find something that was related to their job.
Before all of those sessions got started the nearly 100 adults that are used to facilitating community growth, walked around the conference room playing ice breakers, yes ice breakers. Although I generally get nervous during ice breakers, this time I laughed and shared about embarrassing songs on my itunes account with total strangers that seemed to feel like long time friends instantly.
From there, the rest of the week seemed to fly by. I truly cherish the time that our staff had to grow and learn together this week. In Thursday's worship, those in attendance shared about ways we have seen God at work in our Ministries. Thomas shared about how much of a blessing it has been that our staff has grown so close, so quickly, with so many new people. All the laughs that were shared every single time we came together as a group was evidence of the that. It truly is a blessing and a gift and I am so glad that we had this opportunity to continue strengthening our team this week.
It is difficult for me to explain how this weekend fed me spiritually, physically, socially, and emotionally, but it did. I felt and saw how God is present throughout the United States, in rural and urban communities. I met people whose life goals are to bring hope and meet needs to the least of these. To fellowship with their communities and to grow alongside their communities. It showed that the call to bring God's Kingdom to Earth is happening everywhere, and people are answering the call. It was wonderful to talk with others that had been to MTOP or had a similar model to our programs. Then when I had the opportunity to share about MTOP, it was a reminder of how this ministry has been such a gift in my life.
I am so excited to see what all will come out of this conference in the coming months, and to see the ReFrame Association and Conference to continue to grow and offer opportunities for fellowship in years to come.
To learn more about ReFrame click here! If you want to get more information about what is going on at Mountain T.O.P. send an email to olivia@mountain-top.org to get on our e-newsletter mailing list.
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