The new venue offers many improvements and facilitates all-conference worship

As we were leaving Calvin College at the end of the 2008 Reformed Presbyterian International Conference, it was evident that the conference had reached the capacity of that campus to hold our group for worship, air-conditioned housing and recreation facilities. We received word that we should look at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind.

The university has a brand new chapel that seats 3,800, as well as the Phillippee Arts Center with its 1,100-seat auditorium and the 200-seat Baker Recital Hall. There is housing for over 3,000 in air-conditioned facilities with a variety of accommodations from the traditional two-bedroom suites with adjoining baths, to two- and three-bedroom suites in lodge-style layouts, to three-bedroom townhouses. All of these housing options seemed to fit our family conference style. The Bowman Student Center is a mall-style structure that contains a 1,100-seat dining facility, the Wildcat Grill, conference rooms, and the Globe Theater. In the Health and Wellness Center you will find gyms, a pool, fitness rooms, and a climbing wall. On the IWU web site you can take a virtual tour of the campus.

RP International Conference 2012 will have a program similar to previous conferences. There will be a nursery for infants up to age two, with three areas: one for quiet infants, an infants’ play area, and a toddlers’ area. There will also be two preschool groups, three junior groups, middle school, high school, college and adult.

One of the highlights of any international conference is the evening plenary program. Many of you on the 2008 conference survey asked for additional worship. In response to that request, RP International 2012 will have four worship services. Pastors Tim McCracken, Bruce Martin, Rich Holdeman, and David Reese will be preaching.

In addition to the worship services, there will be an opening ceremony on Saturday evening and two “choice” evenings. Some of the events scheduled for the choice evenings include a talent show, New Song concert, psalm sing, a movie in the Globe Theater, a visit to a local water park, and recreation. These evenings will also give folks time to relax and meet new people as well as the opportunity for family gatherings. Dr Kim Gall, athletic director at Geneva College, will be organizing the recreation program for RP International 2012. A full recreation program in the afternoon and during available evening times is being planned.

Since there are a number of RPCNA congregations within a couple of hours of Marion, the conference staff is inviting any of those folks who are not able to attend the conference to join us on the Lord’s Day for worship and fellowship. Keep checking the conference web site, rpinternationalconference.org, for updates.

–Directors of Operations Don Phillips and David Willson