Beautiful Feet Mission Conference inspires Concordia students to serve others

Concordia University, Nebraska, students attended the 2016 Beautiful Feet Conference Nov. 3-5, 2016, at Concordia University, Portland, to explore opportunities for service and to make connections with other mission-minded students.

“These annual Beautiful Feet Mission Conferences give students a chance to hear from and talk to missionaries from around the world or from right next door,” said Julie Johnston Hermann, Director of Global Opportunities, who also attended the conference. “Students are encouraged to reflect God’s love to others in our day to day lives. This conference reminds students we don’t need to wait until we are “sent” to some other place to be God’s hands and feet now.”

Over 130 students attended the conference, coming from 8 out of the 10 schools in the Concordia University system.

“It was an amazing opportunity to be able to participate in Beautiful Feet,” said Concordia student, Briana Jordan. “It’s always an incredible experience when you can meet with like-minded people and discuss topics that mean so much to you. It’s even more incredible when the people you are meeting belong to other Concordia Universities all over the United States.”

During a weekend of speakers, praise, exhibits and service opportunities, participants explored the theme verse, “The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,” from Matthew 25:40. Speakers and small group sessions included discussions about God’s mission for his people, encouragement to selflessly serve others as Christ served the world and information about opportunities to serve locally and around the world.

In addition to the speakers and sessions, the students completed service projects including offering support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Bethesda, helping with teacher preparations at the inner-city Faubion School and interacting with homeless individuals and families through JOIN and the Portland Rescue Mission.

The conference attendees were given the opportunity to explore the beautiful Northwest with scheduled free time allotted for visits to Multnomah Falls, Downtown Portland and nearby Alberta Street.