22nd Annual FCFI Conference

The 22nd Annual Fellowship of Christian Farmers, International Conference took place in Shipshewana, Indiana, in the heart of Amish country.  Our gracious host, Kenny Stutzman, had several activities lined up for the conference members and guests.

A visit to an 1832 Grist Mill also included a nice lunch.  Dinner at Das Essenhaus featured good ole’ country cooking, and an auto show outside.  There were ample shopping opportunities, including cheese shops, jellies and jams, arts and crafts, and log furniture.

The men had other ideas.

Back at the conference, Friday night’s session included an introduction of our keynote speaker, Craig Deall, from Foundations for Farming in Zimbabwe.  George “the Shoeman” Hutchings gave an update of his ministry, which was less about shoes and more about drilling water wells in Kenya.  Pete Hughes spoke of his ministry in Russia with recovering alcoholics.  George Holmes shared about his ongoing work in Albania teaching children about Christ.  Dave Carter spoke of his trip to Mexico, where a new church is being completed.  Paul Herrold appeared on video to detail his trip to Haiti.  Here is a link to his trip –> Paul Herrold Haiti trip.

FCFI Executive Director Dennis Schlagel with a Wordless Walking Stick.

Pastor Dorant Brown, from Jamaica, led praise and worship for the conference.

Workshops:

Foundations for Farming, Craig Deall

Cultivating Friendship with Bloke Sheds, Dennis Schlagel

Ordinary to Extraordinary, Laura Loveberry

Friends Puppets Children’s Ministries, Jerry and Vicki Myers

Foundational Farming Practices, Craig Deall

The Great Commission By All Means, Michael Bond

Declutter Your Life, Laura Loveberry

Special guests By Grace, Amos and Margaret Raber, provided musical entertainment.

Keynote speaker Craig Deall, from Foundations for Farming, gave a sobering presentation of what an economic crisis could look like in the United States and the rest of the world.  Craig spoke of his experiences in Zimbabwe, where their currency literally devalued overnight, and how he lost his land and successful farming business piece by piece, until it was consumed by the government.  But Craig, in Christlike fashion, turned the other cheek and taught them how to farm the land.  Today, his ministry is to look out for the poor, and teach them farming methods that are responsible and productive, and give Glory to God.

Please join us next year in Branson, Missouri!