Thursday night

The opening session

Bishop Roller

The 2013 Church Leaders Conference began on Thursday night with a greeting and welcome from Bishop David Roller to the 75+ pastors, missionaries, and church leaders who had gathered together here in Sintra, Portugal. Hugo Conçeicão led the multinational worship team that included people from Hungary, Greece, Bulgaria, and Portugal.

Júlia with Kali and Alkaios

Júlia Tóth from Hungary is serving as the interviewer for the conference, and tonight she introduced Kali Long and her husband Alkaios Papanagis to the conference. Kali and Alkaios live in Athens, where Kali serves as a VISA missionary working with people on the streets and brothels.

Cindi Angelo

Cindi Angelo was the evening speaker and she based her message on Matthew 3 and the account of the baptism of Jesus by John.

The tired but happy Ukrainians

During this time, and unbeknownst to most of the conference participants, Larry Winckles and Júlia Tóth were dealing with a crisis involving the Ukrainian delegation. Arriving at the conference center by taxi, they unfortunately left a bag with their money, computer, and passports in the taxi. The hotel staff was of great assistance in trying to track down the taxi, but in the end it was the honesty of the driver that resulted in the safe retrieval of the bag.

Fellowship around the table

True to the custom of Portugal (and the Mediterranean), dinner was served late, following the evening session. This was normal for many people, but difficult for others. "When in Rome" was the adage of the evening.

Part of the worship team

The conference got off to a great start! Thanks go out all who helped with the advance preparations and who helped get things ready on site. Our great conference team is comprised of Cindi and Eduardo Angelo, Larry and Katie Winckles, Júlia Tóth, Al and Diane Mellinger, Margaret and Joe Tanner. Thanks, too, to Scot Dunn for his help with video and translation equipment.