2017 GMHC Executive Session

Overview

The GMHC and MedicalMissions.com has been doing Executive Sessions for several years now. These gatherings of key people in the world of healthcare and missions have been catalysts for some of the best resources we've produced, including the Missional Life Book and the Missional Life RoadMap (which will be presented at this year's conference). The driving force behind these sessions is to gather together people from various professions and backgrounds in order to identify and address the most pressing needs in the world of healthcare missions. We believe that this time is extremely valuable. 

The next identified resource need is a tool for individuals to be guided toward long term missions.  The basic challenge is an individual's confusion or lack of knowledge for the process of becoming a long term missionary.  With so many sending agencies employing so many different methods, our goal is to consolidate these plans into a basic overview for individuals that would assist them for whichever sending agency they may select.  This executive session is designed for us to listen to the significant sending agencies, understand their overall processes (high level and detailed), and to create a shared resource for those that are exploring.

Session Objectives

• Build a baseline (simple) model for steps and stages of missions mobilization
• Aggregate and organize task and action steps within each major category
• Simplify the overall process and make this digestible for individuals

Strategic Resources

Our current plan is to develop two key resources from this session, in association with session participants.  

1. Workbook - A printed and downloadable PDF of a step by step plan with worksheets, plans, steps, and tasks.  The goal would be for an individual to create their tangible plan for long term engagement through this tool
2. e-course - An online course (8-10 weeks) that carefully walks through the workbook to help facilitate this plan development

NOTE: The workbook would be a stand alone to be used by individuals regardless of accessing the e-course.  The e-course would include the workbook.  The outline of the workbook and the e-course are identical.

Resource Objectives

This is how we would define the WIN for these resources to be created:

• I have a plan - Individuals would walk away with an actionable plan after going through the workbook and/or e-course
• I get it - Individuals could explain back to someone the basic process for stepping into long term missions
• I am beginning the journey - Individuals have created their plan, launched their story, and invited others into their journey

Thursday Schedule

• 4p Check In
• 6p Dinner

Friday Schedule

• 8a - Breakfast and Prayer
• 830a - Most Unique Presentations - 5 minutes per organization to share what they believe is most unique about how they engage and equip people for long term missions
• 1030a - Brainstorm - group brainstorming over the basic pathway stages to collect task items and activities
• 12p - Lunch
• 1p - Prototyping - group projects for the WIN per stage and five critical objectives
• 230p - Sharing Prototypes 
• 330p - Collective Review
• 4p - Dismissal
• 6p - Dinner for those who are able to stay for dinner

Resource Components

Although the components of this resource are still to be determined from the executive session, the following items are potential resources to anticipate:

• Introduction
• Support Architecture
• Engaging Your Church
• Family & Friends
• Finding a Sending Agency
• Interviewing
• The Application Process
• Preparation Part 1
• Preparation Part 2
• Calendars & Timelines

Partnership

The GMHC is a gathering point, a conference, and a resource base.  Our desire in partnership for this initiative is to learn from key sending agencies and to glean their wisdom in the design of this resource.  Currently we are inviting the following organizations to attend this session:

• Organizations
  • SIM
  • OM
  • Pioneers
  • Urbana
• Churches
  • Southeast Christian Church
  • NorthPoint Community Church
  • Flatirons Community Church

When is the event?

• Thursday, 6 April - Friday, 7 April, 2017
• Please arrive around 4p on Thursday night for dinner and time for fellowship
• Working session will be from 830a - 4p on Friday
• Housing is provided Thursday night for all who are able to make it

Where is the event?

• North Georgia mountains, 752 Campbell Camp Cir, Blue Ridge, GA

What do I need to do to prepare?

• Pray
• Take the survey
• Share the survey link with others to complete

Who is invited?

• Sending agency representatives
• Mission agency representatives
• Church representatives 
• Up to 2 individuals per organization

Do we need to RSVP?

• Yes, please RSVP to Kacie Chase - kacie@medicalmissions.com

How is lodging provided?

• We have reserved a large cabin and will be sharing rooms as needed (boys rooms / girls rooms) for THURSDAY night

What do I need to bring?

• Comfortable clothes, this is a casual environment 

What if I have questions?

Please email us - contact either Kacie Chase - kacie@medicalmissions.com or Will Rogers - will@medicalmissions.com.