Registration opens for 2018 National Rural & Small Town Mission Conference

The LCMS 2018 National Rural & Small Town Mission Conference will be held Nov. 8–10 in Kansas City, Mo., under the theme “Have No Fear.”

Registration is now open for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s 2018 National Rural & Small Town Mission Conference, to be held Nov. 8–10 at the Hilton Kansas City Airport in Kansas City, Mo.

Under the theme “Have No Fear,” the conference will address the blessings and challenges facing contemporary rural and small-town congregations. The theme verse for the conference is Matt. 19:26: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Keynote speakers for the conference are:

Rev. Timothy Koch, pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church, Cresbard, S.D., and Immanuel Lutheran, Wecota, S.D.;

Rev. Dr. Robert H. Bennett, executive director of Luther Academy and visiting professor in Missions at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind.;

Rev. Tom Schlund, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Algona, Iowa; and

Chaplain Craig Muehler, director of LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces.

The RSTM conference is open to anyone who serves, resides or has an interest in rural or small-town areas, with topics and resources specifically suited to the rural and small-town mission field.

Congregations will be encouraged in becoming healthy churches, eager to bear witness for Christ, show mercy to those in need and develop a robust life together with fellow members.

Breakout sessions for the 2018 conference will address ministry to inactive members, stewardship, family ministry and outreach, hope during grief, opportunities with Recognized Service Organizations and many other topics affecting rural and small-town congregations.

New this year are special tracks for Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) Disaster Training and Youth Ministry; these options have a limited number of seats and require attendance in all six sessions.

Registration and lodging

Registration for the conference is $215 per person and includes all plenary and breakout sessions, materials, dinner on Thursday, and lunch and dinner on Friday. Special rates are available for couples, groups and those needing meals only.

Hotel reservations must be made separately from conference registration. The Hilton Kansas City Airport conference rate of $106/single occupancy or $114/double occupancy (plus applicable taxes) includes breakfast, complimentary self-parking and complimentary airport transportation on request.

To reserve a room, contact the Hilton Kansas City Airport at 816-891-8900, ask for in-house reservations and request the LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission Conference rate. The deadline for reservations is Sept. 21.

Registration for the conference closes Sept. 15. Lodging grants are available for first-time attendees. For more information, visit the RSTM website or contact RSTM Coordinator Amy Gerdts at 888-463-5127 or rstm@lcms.org.

Register online

Posted March 15, 2018