Why I love ‘Priority’

I am no stranger to a missions conference. Growing up, we spent a week every summer at a Baptist conference center, learning all about missionaries and returning home with a renewed sense of what God can do with people whose lives are surrendered to him. Even as a kid, I knew missionaries were heroes. They were people I couldn’t necessarily copy. My third-grade reality required neither their cool clothes nor the great sacrifices they were making. But their lives of service inspired me.

My current favorite missions conference is right here at home. I’ve attended Priority several times over the past few years, and I always walk away inspired. What’s different now is that many of these heroes are also my friends. They are fellow writers and moms and church members giving their time and energy so that other people will know the love of God, personally.

If I could encourage you to do one thing this spring, it’s this: put Priority on your calendar. Make plans to attend April 26-27 in Springfield, or consider how your church can serve women in your community by serving as a host site.

When I leave Priority, I’m better able to see needs in my community. I’m more grounded in God’s Word. I’m equipped with high quality resources. I have a wider network of friends living missionally. I leave with that same renewed sense of what God can do with people whose lives are surrendered to him, because those people are my friends and neighbors and fellow laborers in the harvest God promises (Matt. 9:37).

To register and learn more about this year’s conference, go to IBSA.org/Priority.

Meredith Flynn is a writer and school admissions director living in Springfield, Ill.