Southeast Regional Gathers in North Carolina
On Feb 19 2022, after a few postponements due to Covid restrictions and an irresolute resolve to meet in person, the first RHPNA Regional Roundtable for the SE region took place at Forest Hill Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC.
Twenty-seven ministry leaders from three states, ten cities and a variety of ministries came together for an energizing day of inspiration, refreshment, training and connections.
As you can imagine, top of mind for most leaders at this time is the Afghan families that are arriving across the USA. Plenary sessions focused on resourcing each other to provide a well-rounded, effective welcome to whomever God was bringing, with stories from an Afghan pastor and an asylum seeker. Breakout sessions addressed mental health, church-based legal assistance, understanding Muslims, employment training and refugee housing.
Within days after meeting in person, further connections were being initiated by those who attended! Jason Payne reports,
“One of the many side-blessings that happened during our roundtable was an amazing connection in one of the breakout sessions. We met a leader who had conducted some ministry work in the Dzaleka Refugee camp in Malawi. Forest Hill’s online ESL class has a participant who is still in Dzaleka refugee camp, awaiting final refugee processing. I shared the leader’s email with him so that they can connect.”
God was at the helm for our meeting, and it is encouraging to think of all the rippling connections through which the Holy Spirit was working.
The planning team included:
Julia Camenisch, Project 658, Charlotte, NC
Jason Payne, Forest Hill Baptist, Raleigh, NC
Porter Horne, SE Regional Ambassador, Fort White, Florida
Feedback received from attendees:
“I wish I had invited others to come.”
“It was a very good conference and we learned from other organizations.”
“As a newbie to the immigrant community it was great to network with others and learn how they serve this population.”
