The international TEC family gathered in Baton Rouge, LA, from July 13-15 for Encounter 2018, a three-day weekend filled with rich conversations and fellowship. Seventeen different TEC centers were represented at the event as participants came together to pray, play, share, and network.
Host community TEC New Orleans chose the theme “Come to the Table” to both showcase their southern hospitality and call everyone to the Lord’s Table, or the altar, where we find mercy, joy, hope, and love. Keynote speaker Mike Patin presented on the importance of knowing who’s at your table in life, what your table means to you, and who Jesus invited to his table—leaving listeners with the challenge of whom to invite to theirs. Following the keynote, attendees were able to choose which breakout sessions they wanted to attend to “build” the Encounter experience that would best suit them.
TEC New Orleans cooked a special meal featuring classic Louisiana fare for the Saturday night Agape Meal, during which the 2018 awards were presented. Anna Conn (Western Kentucky TEC) and Diane Fehrenbacher (SWITEC) were honored with the 2018 Heritage Award, and Sara O’Regan (TEC New Orleans) and Jennifer Fuller (Grand Island TEC) were honored with the 2018 Friend of TEC Award.
“It was truly a phenomenal experience, from the speakers to the cuisine to the exceptionally hospitable team. I’ve already brought ideas back to my home team about ways to enhance the TEC experience in the Bahamas.”
Over the weekend, the TEC Conference announced the upcoming reveal of the new website and released brand new outlines for all of the reflections on a TEC weekend. The keynote, witness speakers, formation breakout sessions, and a few other portions of the event were livestreamed via Facebook. Those who were unable to attend Encounter can view the videos on the TEC Conference Facebook page.
Martiniqua Moxey from TEC Bahamas enjoyed her time with the greater TEC family, saying, “Being my first Encounter, it was truly a phenomenal experience, from the speakers to the cuisine to the exceptionally hospitable team. I’ve already brought ideas back to my home team about ways to enhance the TEC experience in the Bahamas.”
Thank you to TEC New Orleans, the national planning committee, all the participants, and everyone who had a hand in making Encounter 2018 a fulfilling and successful weekend. Mark your calendars now for Encounter 2019: July 12-14, 2019, hosted by Central Minnesota TEC in Collegeville, MN!
