Presbyterian Mariners to Sponsor Family Conference at Missouri Southern State College By Julian Shipp Presbyterian News Service JOPLIN, Mo. - Amid society's growing concern for physical fitness and health, the Presbyterian Mariners are inviting families to consider "fitness for the soul" during a family conference here July 19-23. The event will be held at Missouri Southern State College near the heart of the Ozarks. The conference, the theme for which is "Fitness for the Soul: Strengthening Families Through Spiritual Formation," will be led by the Rev. Ben Mathes, an ordained Presbyterian pastor and president of Rivers of the World, an international exploration and development agency. Mathes, a Snellville, Ga., resident who for the past 20 years has traveled the world on behalf of international health development and explorations, also has a radio program heard daily in 28 cities along the West Coast. "Life is a long-distance event," Mathes said of the "Fitness for the Soul" theme. He anticipates leading participants through spiritual exercises mentioned in the Bible and focusing on the "exercises" that run our day-to-day lives. Amid it all, he said, he hopes to use the Book of Hebrews and apply it to the spiritual fitness of families and the journey to mature Christianity. The conference includes a complete children and youth program for newborns through young adults. Older youths will spend at least a day doing a mission project in the area as well as take advantage of nearby recreational opportunities. The conference program will also include daily family worship, workshops in keeping with the theme and a concluding Communion service at week's end. Conference housing on campus includes apartment-style as well as traditional dormitory-style facilities. Presbyterian Mariners is a family ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) focusing on the support and nurture of today's marriages and families. Scholarships are available for those who have never attended a Mariner family conference as well as for pastors and seminary students. All conference registration and housing fees are due by July 1. For registration and scholarship information, contact Presbyterian Mariners, 11555 W. 78th Dr., Arvada, CO 80005. You can also request information by phone at (303) 425-5033, by fax at (303) 425-0899 or via e-mail at carolyng@unidial.com |
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