I like the potential that is born when people gather, collectively desiring change. I am encouraged by the willingness to fight for more: the ache for purpose, a deep want to live like Jesus, and marked refusal to accept that our lives, and the world, can never change. These were the types of conversations that were taking place June 7th and 8th at the Collyde Summit, in Princeton, New Jersey.
There was a whole host of speakers, ranging from pastors, artists and writers—even one secretary. Sponsors lined up outside the sanctuary, offering information about their cause and telling stories about the work they do. World Vision Micro. Compassion. Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee. It was exciting to witness.
I wandered around a bunch at the conference, popping in and out of rooms taking photos, but I found myself continually reminded of the value of a life. The value of using your passions to serve and coming alongside people who share your passions. Great things are forged when these collisions take place. It's easy to feel puny in the face of the numbers. It's easy to feel like much of what you do doesn't matter, yet that's the fight we need to fight: to realize that our presence and absence in each other's lives—your sister, mother, neighbor, an orphan in Haiti—it matters infinitely. What we do and don't do matters.
Josh Conn is the lead pastor of 217 Church in Hamilton, New Jersey.
Jason Yost Band.
Makoto Fujimura is an extremely talented artist, whose art explores faith, art and culture. Much of his artwork is on display at Artsy.net.
Esther Havens is a humanitarian photographer, who works to create motivating campaigns for organizations such as TOMS Shoes and Charity : Water.
Phil Wickham ended Friday with some of his songs, and a handful of well-loved hymns.
Compassion is able to release children from poverty all over the world through sponsorships. Seriously great organization
Pete Wilson, pastor of Cross Point Church, in Nashville, Tennessee.
"Drink Coffee. Do Good." Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee was created with the purpose of providing fair wages to farmers in Rwanda. It's good coffee, too.
Aaron Keyes.
World Vision Micro is able to offer small business loans to people living in poverty through donations. The loans not only stimulate the economy, but they also empower people to create healthy, self-sustaining communities.
