When

Wednesday May 18, 2016 at 8:00 AM AST
-to-
Friday May 20, 2016 at 9:00 PM AST
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Where

Universidad Interamericana de Ponce 
104 Turpeaux Industrial Park
Mercedita 00715
Puerto Rico  

 
Driving Directions 

Contact

Karen Hotte, Executive Director 
Global Episcopal Mission Network 
gemn@gemn.org 

Conference Coordinator, event@gemn.org

Conference Fees: 
Please Note: Conference fee does not include flights or hotel. Airport transfers are separate (see below).  Each participant will receive meals (Wed am through Fri pm), three plenary sessions, choices of workshops, visit to local ministry sites, daily small group experience, daily worship opportunities, display tables on global mission topics, celebration dinner and many networking opportunities among those who are passionate about mission.
 
Hotel rooms are available at the Howard Johnson's Hotel in Ponce, within walking distance of Universidad Interamericana. GEMN has obtained a special conference rate of $90/night plus tax.  To obtain the conference rate, call the Howard Johnson (in English or Spanish) at 1-787-841-1000 and specify that you are attending the GEMN conference; Utilize code CGHES1 .
 
Hotel rooms are also available at the Holiday Inn Ponce, approximately 12 minutes from the University. Conference rate is $110/night plus tax. Call hotel reservations at 1-787-844-1200.  Limited daily transfers by van will be available from the Holiday Inn.
 
Local rates are for Puerto Rico residents only.
  • Early Bird Rates (before Mar 15):
    • $395 - Conference Fee (All activities, meals)
    • $150 - Local Three-Day Fee (All activities, meals)
    • $110 - Local Two-Day Fee (All activities, meals)
    • $55 - Local One-Day Fee (All activities, meals)
  • Conference Rates (Mar 16 - Apr 30):
    • $435 - Conference Fee (All activities, meals)
    • $150 - Local Three-Day Fee (All activities,meals)
    • $110 - Local Two-Day Fee (All activities, meals)
    • $55 - Local One-Day Fee (All activities, meals)
  • Airport Transfers (See schedule in Info Packet):
    • $50 - Round trip between San Juan and Ponce
    • $30 - One way San Juan to Ponce, or Ponce to San Juan
  • Formation Program - Tue, May 17- 9am-3pm (Note that you will need to arrive one day prior to the start of the main conference and will need an additional night's accomodation on Mon, May 16th).
    • $65 - Formation Program
  • Train the Trainer - Tue, May 17 - 3-6 pm (Note: Participants flying into San Juan should plan to arrive one day prior to the start of the main conference and will need an additional night's accomodation on Mon, May 16th).
    • $50 - Train-the-Trainer Program
NO REGISTRATIONS ACCEPTED AFTER April 30 NO REFUNDS can be extended after April 30.  Full payment must be received by April 30 in order to complete your registration.

Tentative Conference Schedule

  • Mon - May 16
    • Early arrivals for those participating in the Formation Program and Train-the-Trainer Programs.  Contact GEMN to coordinate airport transfers.
  • Tue - May 17
    • 9-3    Formation Program
    • 3-6    Train the Trainer Program
    • Arrivals for Conference Attendees
  • Wed - May 18
    • 7:30   Morning Prayer
    • 8:00   Conference Registration Opens
    • 8:00   Breakfast
    • 9:00   Welcome / Opening Address
    • 11:00 Small Groups
    • 12:00 Lunch
    • 1:00   Workshops/Small Groups
    • 4:30   Networking / Poster Session
    • 6:00   Welcome Reception Dinner
    • 9:00   Compline
  • Thu - May 19
    • 7:30   Morning Prayer
    • 8:00   Breakfast
    • 9:00   Plenary
    • 11:00 Small Groups
    • 12:00 Lunch
    • 1:00   Workshops
    • 3:30   GEMN Annual Meeting
    • 5:00   Poster Session
    • 7:00   Puerto Rico Night / Antiguo Casino
  • Fri - May 20                    
    • 8:00   Breakfast
    • 9:00   Final Plenary Session
    • 11:00 Small Groups
    • 12:00 Lunch
    • 1:30   Buses to Local Sites
    • 4:00   Eucharist at San Lucas
    • 5:30   Cultural Night / Closing Celebration Dinner
  • Sat - May 21
    • 7:00  Buses Depart to San Juan
Exploring Financial Support: 
It has been our experience that there are frequently opportunities for scholarships or support available from your local parish, deanery, bishop or diocese.  These groups are often eager to help people attend a conference that will add to their skills and passion for mission. We encourage you to seek out these sources of funding because, in addition to your own participation, it will raise awareness of your level of commitment to bringing mission to your local area and allow others to engage as well.

Join us in Puerto Rico for our 2016 International  GEMN Global Mission Conference!

Attend a conference that will energize, inspire and equip you for the next step in your global mission engagement! Do you want to get involved with global mission but don't know where to begin?  Are you interested in a broader conversation about what global mission looks like in our changing world?  Do you have a mission project to share?  Do you want to learn how to start a mission ministry?  GEMN's 2016 International Global Mission Conference is for you!  This year it will be held in Ponce, Puerto Rico, May 18-20, 2016, and the conference theme is "God’s Mission with a World in Continuous Motion"/”La Misión de Dios con un Mundo en Continuo Movimiento".

At our 2016 conference you will:
  • Attend keynotes by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Episcopal Migration Ministries.
  • Participate in hands-on mission workshops that will give you tools to bring back to your diocese, church or mission organization, including mission budgeting & fundraising, planning & leading short-term mission trips, mission best practices, medical mission, short- and long-term mission engagement, building global partnerships, and Asset-Based Community Development.
  • Have the opportunity for mission education programs, meeting mission partners and current missionaries, networking, small group discussion, mission displays, site visits and more.
  • Explore global mission themes that include mission evangelism, migration and refugee ministry, global poverty, sustainable development, and other relevant mission topics with the mission community from around the world.

  Featuring:

  • Hands-on Global Mission Workshops
  • Mission Presentations and Displays 
  • Inspirational Mission Speakers
  • Mission "How-To" Workshops
  • Building Global Mission Ministries
  • Refugee and Immigration Ministries
  • Mission Best Practices
  • Global Economic Justice
  • Asset-Based Development in Mission
  • Sustainable Development
  • Train the Trainer Program
  • Formation Program for Global Mission Agents
  • Site Visits to Local Ministries
  • Connect with Mission Partners from Around the World

Formation Program for Global Mission Agents:

Our flagship GEMN Formation Program consists of two half-day sessions over a two-year period, held in conjunction with our annual GEMN Global Mission Conferences. In addition to attending two Global Mission Conferences, students will explore mission theology, history, discernment, short-term mission themes, and project development. Participants are required to complete reading, fieldwork assignments, and a mission report, receiving certification as Global Mission Agents upon completion of the program.  See our GEMN Formation Program Page for more information. The Formation Program will be held this year on Tuesday, May 17 from 9am to 3pm, prior to the start of the conference. Gini Peterson, Program Coordinator.

Train the Trainer Program:

Conference 2013Our Train the Trainer Program is the next step for graduates of the Formation Program.  Would you like to bring mission leadership training to your church, deanery, diocese or mission organization?  This is your opportunity to become a certified trainer for the GEMN Formation Program for Global Mission Agents.  The GEMN Formation Program was launched in 2003 as a discernment and training tool for mission, focusing on personal spirituality and discernment, fieldwork and readings.  Previously offered only to participants at our annual GEMN Mission Conference, it is now being expanded to reach to diocesan and local mission groups.  Those interested in being a trainer should be graduates of the Formation (or Certificate) Program, have a desire to guide others on their individual journeys, and a willingness to present trainings.  The Train the Trainer Program will be held on Tuesday, May 17 from 3pm to 6pm, prior to the start of the conference.  Gini Peterson, Program Coordinator.

Sightseeing in Ponce: