LCMS World Mission Blog

From Nov. 11-13, at Concordia University Texas, Austin, Texas, approximately 150 college students gathered together at the annual Beautiful Feet Mission Conference under the theme “Love in Action.” The theme was based on Rom. 12:10-13, which reads, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

A “core team” of 17 students from Concordia Texas organized the conference, along with help from faculty and LCMS World Mission, a sponsor of the event. Student attendees heard from LCMS missionary speakers, breakout session leaders and exhibitors, and also used Skype to communicate with LCMS personnel serving in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Central Asia. Exhibitors represented organizations from the Austin area and locations throughout the country.

When attending breakout sessions, students could choose from more than 20 experienced speakers. They could dialogue about ministry in Texas, the United States and beyond. One such speaker was a Texas-based missionary with People of the Book Lutheran Outreach (POBLO). He encouraged the students in their task of sharing the Gospel with the world, saying, “As [Jesus] tells us in Acts 17:26-27, God has appointed us to live in these times. We shouldn’t be afraid. You have been equipped with the most powerful weapon—the Gospel.”

Conference attendees also had an opportunity to put into practice what they were discussing—they went into the greater Austin community for an entire afternoon to perform acts of service, pray for neighborhoods and people and witness to those who they encountered—all in the name of Christ’s love.

Plans are already in progress for next year’s conference, which is slated to take place on the campus of Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Mich.

The Beautiful Feet Mission Conference has been planned and organized by college students, for college students, since 1996. For more information, please visit http://bf.lcmsworldmission.org.