Dan at the conference

It was a wonderful conference for Tikkun America.

The quality of speakers was to a high level. David McQueen of Beltway Church in Abilene gave several sessions for the leaders on building congregations and on preaching. He also gave a very strong message at the family conference.

Don Finto flew in especially to deliver a message for the leaders. This was unplanned and very strong. My teaching to the leaders emphasized the meaning of holiness and the historic standards of God's people.

Chad, my son in law, gave very strong messages. His insight into the joy of the Lord was new.

It was our highest leadership attendance ever. We had 140 in the leadership gathering. I am not sure of the stats, but think it was our largest family conference in over 12 years.

This year's gathering in Maryland began with leadership equipping and fellowship. Wonderfully applicable messages helped equip congregational leaders for their essential tasks of feeding the flock and building the body. The sessions were punctuated with tension-releasing self-deprecating humor.

It was good to laugh at ourselves and to realize that we all walk through similar struggles. At the same time, challenging standards were placed before us, reminding us that we are charged with the progress of the Jewish movement for Messiah Yeshua. We believe that the timing of His coming is closely related to Israel's spiritual harvest.

Marty Goetz moved the general conference to tears and laughter with his passionate praise, worship, and testimony. Our dear veteran brother poured himself out, touching deep cords of love for Yeshua. He helped us experience the feeling of being a family, hanging out together, enjoying our shared heritage and valuable future.

That dynamic of family hit me more than ever before. I found myself looking out on the many hundreds of attendees and thinking "Wow. I've known some of these people more than thirty years. What a history we've been given together! I'm so thankful that, as congregational leaders, we didn't split up, but chose to walk the costly road of keeping covenant. I love these folks so much. What a gift to be a part of this family of the Messiah's communities."

Patty at the conference

Each year it seems that the conferences get better and better!

During the leadership conference we had over 140 attendees. We had some amazing times of impartation during this leadership portion with key teaching from Dan Juster, David McQueen, Don Finto, Frank Susler and others. Each one gave us some very practical ways we could all grow in our leadership skills.

Also, we had ample time for personal ministry and prayer for one another. The leadership track of the conference is always my favorite as it is more intimate and the worship is more "quiet" and personal.

During the weekend family conference we had a full house as well. It was so good to meet up with long time friends and be able to enjoy together the fruit of what God is doing in our midst.

We are in awe as we experience the favor of God in people's lives through the teaching and ministry that takes place at these annual conferences. This year the theme was "Simcha" or "Joy". At the end of the last meeting, joy broke out and many broke free in dancing and shouting.