"The purpose of the conference is to bring together local missionaries and missionaries (who serve abroad)," said pastor Mike Bailey when describing IMPACT Church's upcoming Missions Conference. "It is not only for those in our church but anyone who wants to come learn about missions and how we are reaching out and spreading the Gospel in Parkesburg, across the state and even (across) the ocean."

The Missions Conference will take place on Friday, Sept. 30, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 4 to 8 p.m. The conference will conclude on Sunday, Oct. 2, during the church's Sunday gatherings at 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday will also mark the beginning of a new teaching series, "Here I Am: When God Calls, Are We Ready?"

Featured speakers throughout the conference will include Dwayne Walton, executive director of the Parkesburg POINT Youth Center, and Chad Simpson, tennis director of Athletes in Action, where he serves as a missionary chaplain to college and professional tennis teams.

Other speakers will include Barry Whitworth, executive director of the Baptist Resource Network; Doug Rogers, director of Indigenous Church Planting; and Josh Rauch, aviation maintenance technician with Wycliffe Bible Translators.

"(Rauch) is a plane mechanic, and he and his family will help to fill in for missionaries that have to come back on furlough," Bailey explained. "A lot of these indigenous tribes use an airplane to bring materials, medical supplies and food to these people that don't have access." Rauch and his wife, Rebekah, will also present a children's program on Oct. 2.

During the "Around the World" segment on Oct. 1, visitors will be able to travel through decorated rooms at the church to meet and talk to the missionaries and hear their stories. Matthew Bottomly from Haycock Camping Ministries will set up a "campsite" in one of the rooms.

In addition to supporting missionaries around the world financially and through prayer, IMPACT Church also supports local ministries. "We have been vying as a church to focus more on (local) missions," said Bailey. "Part of that was (taking part) in the Good Works (home repair) projects in Coatesville and supporting local ministries like The POINT, PCCO (Parkesburg Churches Community Outreach) and (Pregnancy Resources at) Cornerstone."

Refreshments will be available all weekend plus there will be a dinner on Oct. 1 at 5:15 p.m. Children's activities will also be offered.

"One of my goals for the missionaries is exposure. I want other people to see what these ministries and missionaries are doing and maybe even get (them) some personal partnerships - volunteers or financial support," Bailey said.

IMPACT Church is located at 101 E. First Ave., Parkesburg. For more information, call the church at 610-857-3887, visit http://www.impactpa.church/events or contact Bailey at mike@impactpa.church.