“Better 'n Ever”
continued from Home Page
The vision of building a wave of fresh goodness in the church world is clearer than ever. So I am happy to announce that the International Conference on Care and Kindness 2001 is rapidly taking shape. “Better than ever” predict some of our committee members. Here are a few of the dynamic people committed to giving us their best:
1. Maureen Reagan promises to come and talk about her family’s walk with The President- (Ronald Reagan), since he slipped into Alzheimer’s Disease. A really personable speaker, Maureen is sure to give us fresh insights about the pain of this affliction and the touching expressions of love they have learned to give and receive.
3. Fuller Theological Seminary President –
Dr. Richard Mouw will bring a stirring 
challenge
calling the Christian community to wage their campaigns with high and
visible civility. Christians do have wars
to fight against secularism, shallowness and blatant evil. But looking
like heathen in the process causes more harm than good.
4.
Stephen Ministries’ David Paap. Solid. Credible. Likeable. Deep.
David Paap helps put muscles on our Caring hearts. St. Paul warns us not
“to grow weary in well-doing.” Stephen Ministry Director David Paap helps
us with that danger by leading us into deeper thinking
5. Children, Youth, Teens. A major hope in the 2001 conference is to speak to and about young ones. Our collection of seminar speakers brings a wonderful assortment of help—giving instruction teens themselves can appreciate, but also teachers and parents.
6. Two Unique Presentations that especially fascinate me are Wrise Booker’s “Caring for People Different from Ourselves” and Bill Baker, President of Christians and Muslims for Peace, (CAMP) speaking on “Can a Christian Love a Muslim?” Here is the cutting edge of Care and Kindness, building effective bridges to those outside our own comfort zone. I am so gratified that these two seminars are part of our program this year.
7. James Kok. My own efforts promise to
be basic and foundational, lest we forget that it is about all of us little
people doing a bit better: visiting the sick, showing up at funerals;
stopping at the 
desk
nearby with a word of cheer; walking next door when grief is there; smiling
at the strangely dressed, tattooed, and pierced; calling a newly diagnosed
patient—Care and Kindness every day. I will
share nearly a dozen fundamental pieces every caring person needs. Simple,
fundamental, possible attitudes and insights.
In my workshop presentation I will zero in on “Where is God in All This?” This is surely everybody’s question. I will share my conclusions, after working in the “pool of pain” for forty years.
This is not just a program, just another conference. We truly and passionately long to affect this world for the better. We want to inspire people, pastors, churches. We want care and kindness to perch on the edge of everyone’s agenda, and spill over, every day, everywhere. We pray and work that Christians will be distinctively known for their lovingkindness.
We want you to be here.
March 15,16,17, 2001
at the Crystal Cathedral
90% of Helping Is Just Showing Up
Dr. James Kok is Director of Care Ministry for the Crystal Cathedral Congregation of Garden Grove, CA. He has been an ordained minister of the Christian Reformed Church of America for 35 years. He speaks extensively throughout the United States and Canada. His hands-on work as a pastor has led to a profound understanding of the issues and dynamics of personal grief and human suffering on which he has written and spoken at length.
