Information download: mission accomplished at conference
February 4 , 2009
In mid-January, about 30 or more Corban students and employees caught great enthusiasm from motivating speakers, workshops, and exhibits they experienced at Mission ConneXion Northwest. This free, two-day event brought 15,000 together for the three-fold purpose of informing, celebrating, and challenging people of all ages to get involved in missions.
Assistant Professor of Missions Paul Johnson, who organized carpools for Corban students, believes the conference is so powerful because, as attendees interact with the information, God’s Spirit is moving.
Junior Cary Smith was impacted, “Mission ConneXion was like a spiritual adrenalin shot. This is why we’re alive: to know God and be about his work of redeeming and saving the lost.”
Besides 125 different breakout sessions for an extensive range of age groups and interests, this year’s MCXNW emphasized outreach in Islamic cultures. A keynote speaker, Josh McDowell, connected powerfully with the “Corban crowd,” challenging their personal faith perceptions. Sophomore Tiffany Goodall explains, “It got me really thinking of why I believe what I believe. What makes my faith in Christ the true faith?”
Corban also came alongside the event’s vision as one of its 80 exhibitors. As an educational resource the College shared its three program areas: undergraduate, adult degree studies, and graduate. Specific to the mission field is Intercultural Studies, one of ten tracks of emphasis for earning a B.S. in Ministry at Corban. All areas of study (over 50 in professional, liberal arts and ministries) are taught from a biblical worldview and prepare students for excellent and effective service in their chosen fields.
Admissions counselors stayed available long hours, answering inquiries of the mission-minded conference attendees. 
Graduate Admissions Counselor Tracie Dalke states, “Mission ConneXion Northwest attracts Christians who will make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ. Corban’s role is to educate and support them in that.”
The booth also highlighted upcoming ASB mission trips. Trips scheduled include ministering to mentally disabled people in Wisconsin; two street-witnessing missions, one in Italy and another to kids in L.A.; and a Mexico construction project. (For more information contact ASB Executive Board Ministries Coordinator, Megan Franklin.)
Since the conference, Johnson has furthered a relationship with Mission ConneXion Founder and Chairman Bill MacLeod. They continue to dialog about Corban’s role in future conferences and about strengthening a vision for missions, in partnership with local churches, throughout the greater Salem area.
Johnson describes the formative nature of these events as “an opportunity we can’t let pass by.”
