GO Conference: A call to pursue the Great Commission wherever God leads

By Linnea Doughman

Cedarville’s annual GO Conference launched the start of a new semester. A total of seven sessions covered the underlying theme of Christ’s Great Commission. Missions organizations came to Cedarville to engage with students throughout the conference time, sharing opportunities to serve God around the globe. Speakers addressed topics concerning church revitalization, domestic church planting, abiding in Christ, God meeting his people.

Throughout the conference, students were challenged to consider how their relationship with Christ fuels the mission to spread the gospel.

Lukus Counterman, lead pastor of Gospel Grace Church in Salt Lake City, Utah, spoke on Tuesday night addressing the topic of worship.

“We’re called to prize [God], but then we’re called to promote him,” Counterman said. Counterman focused on the concept that worship is a constant act that should be embedded into every moment of daily life. 

On Wednesday morning, Aaron Cavin, senior pastor of Life Community Church in Quincy, Massachusetts, convicted students of the temptation to stay comfortable in life rather than seeking to serve the Lord in all areas of life.

“The call to forsake comfort and move outward in mission is built in growing deep in the inward life of Christ,” Cavin said. “It’s built on abiding.” 

There was a strong emphasis on the importance of domestic missions and church revitalization that can occur within the United States. Many under-reached places such as Salt Lake City, Utah, Boston, Massachusetts and Syracuse were mentioned throughout the conference as areas in America that need to hear the gospel. 

Freshman Molecular Biology major Rachel Gerber reflected on the GO Conference as an event that evolved her mindset towards missions. 

“[The GO Conference] has made me think a lot more about domestic missions. Knowing that there is a need for [missions] in the United States is a new point of view,” Gerber said.

Junior Biblical Studies Major, Samuel Ortman, came to view missions as a prospect that Christians should pursue in every aspect of life.

“[The GO Conference] has strengthened the idea that I can do [missions] not only across the country or the world, but even in my backyard,” Ortman said. “Missions is something that we are called to do on a daily basis, and for my life that’s going to allow me to be a light […] and clearly live my life in a way that can reflect [Christ] no matter where I may be.” 

Junior Nursing major Sarah Swift learned that having a positive attitude towards missions makes a difference when serving God.

“The mindset of missions is not about how much you do but about being able to take a next step in faithfulness,” Swift said.

Instead of asking the question, “How can I participate in missions?” Swift learned to ask, “How can I serve God through missions?”

Swift said, “The Lord cares more about your heart than what you do.” 

Linnea Doughman is a sophomore English major with a concentration in Editing and Publishing. In her spare time she loves writing creatively, going on strenuous hikes, capturing special moments through photography, and thrifting with friends.