Westmont Magazine Santa Barbara Sending Missions Conference Inspires and Equips

Westmont co-hosted an inspirational four-day missions conference in September that featured 20 speakers who explored topics related to medicine, business, education, women and refugees. Speakers shared the powerful ways God works throughout the world and encouraged attendees to embrace purpose in their lives. More than 300 participated in Santa Barbara Sending, which included times of prayer and worship.

Charles Farhadian, professor of world religions and Christian mission, and Ben Patterson, former campus pastor, co-founded the conference.

“The church exists to be involved in the triune God’s send- ing into the world,” Farhadian says. “There’s a dual function of the church: to gather and worship and to be sent. We wanted to underscore the importance of that great sending by hearing from those using their gifts and talents to serve others and share a clear invitation to receive the Gospel of forgiveness provided by Jesus Christ.”

Speakers included Jim Yost, Southeast Asia missionary; Megan Fate Marshman ’06, speaker, author and pastor; Kambiz Saghaey, director of Persian Leadership Development; Viji Cammauf, president of Little Flock Children’s Homes in India; Rick Ifland, entrepreneur and interim provost at Westmont; David Morehead, chief investment officer at Baylor University; Jacob Walker, church and business innovator; Joyce Chellis, cross-cultural nurse and mentor; Dr. Richard Danson, specialist in internal medicine; Devin Dickel, a business navigator for OPEN; Barbara Yandell, missions mobilizer and teacher; Rob Crawford, regional director of Young Life; and Tony and Tessa Kemp, missionaries across Asia.

Farhadian met Yost and his wife, Joan, nearly three decades ago when they were living with the Sawi people of Papua. “I appreciate that they don’t just talk about the Gospel, they live it out in powerful ways, pushing the parameters of common Christian practices of engagement,” Farhadian says. “Jim reminded us that Western ways of learning emphasize the accumulation of knowledge, but in his context, obedience is key. We know so much here in the West, but many of us are weak on obedience. What about obedience in terms of sharing the good news in word and deed with others? Learn and act.”

Cammauf, who converted to Christianity from Hinduism, and Farhadian co-lead Westmont’s India Mayterm program. At the conference, she shared her vision to open up a children’s home in South India to help children who survived the tsunami several years ago. “Little Flock Children’s Homes is a life-giving place,” Farhadian says. “I appreciate that while Viji knows nothing about construction or engineering, she pulled together a team of people to create a space for vulnerable children. Her work reminds me that we don’t have to have all the answers or the talents necessary to serve God. She stepped out boldly, and God provided the help she needed for her vision to materialize.”

Farhadian says the best part was being together with so many great speakers and hearing about their important work throughout the world. “It was fantastic to see businesspeople, doctors, nurses and others sharing about how they’re serving others,” he says. “I also enjoyed seeing conference attendees enjoying the event, praying and worshiping together. I hope that everyone who attended gives their lives to God’s purposes for them.”

For more information, go to sbsending.com