“God has called every believer to make disciples locally and to take an active role in making disciples globally,” says Bethel’s Missionary in Residence Bill Jones. “As believers and disciples of Jesus, none of us are ‘off the hook.’ The question is what part will we specifically take or be involved in? That is what the World Christian Action Conference is all about.”

Jessica Fick

This year Bethel celebrates its 27th annual World Christian Action Conference (WCAC) focusing on the importance of global missions for all Christian disciples. The conference will begin on January 28 with a chapel service led by speaker Jessica Fick.

Fick is an evangelist for Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, an organization based out of Cleveland that mentors students and staff across college campuses in the Midwest. Fick also has her own blog, SidewalkTheologian.com, which shares her testimony and highlights the daily walk of an active Christian. Fick will be addressing the main theme of WCAC: God’s call for Christians to go out into the world and serve Him.

“Using pop culture, vulnerable stories and humor are ways that the Holy Spirit uses Jessica to effectively connect with audiences at every stage of their spiritual journey,” says Jones.

In addition to Fick speaking throughout the week in chapel, the WCAC also will give students the opportunity to participate in one out of five seminars on Thursday morning, which will help students learn more about a specific topic related to God’s mission in the world.

While WCAC is a Bethel event, it expands far beyond the campus grounds. The goal of WCAC is to equip Christians with the tools and motivation needed to answer the call to go out into the world.

“God has chosen to use us, His people, to assist in the accomplishment of this mission,” says Vice President for Student Development Shawn Holtgren, Ph.D. “Participation in this mission is not just for ‘missionaries,’ but rather for all Christians. In unique and diverse ways, God can use each and every one of His children to spread His good news throughout the world.”

Students are responding to the message WCAC is highlighting to spread the good news.

“God uses WCAC to open our privileged eyes to other cultures, tribes and tongues who are thirsty for Living Water,” says junior Resident Advisor of Tuckey Erin Hudgens. “It helps to soften our hearts towards a hurting world and it helps us to ponder God’s desperate love that He so badly desires to pour into each wondering heart.”

WCAC has changed from its intense, original form consisting of nine chapel services, 40 seminars and visits from 20 or 30 missions representatives, but it has not lost any intensity for the cause of missions. Even after 27 years, WCAC is still preaching the gospel, teaching students and faculty about the importance of missions, and calling Christians from all stages of life to action.

Below is a schedule of events for World Christian Action Conference.

Monday, Jan. 28 – 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 29 – 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 30 – 10 a.m.

Thursday, Jan. 31 – 9:30 – 11 a.m. seminars offered

Friday, Feb. 1 – NO CHAPEL