A Report on the CETC Conference in Chiang Mai

Garry Austin, [email protected]

The CELT conference in Chiang Mai was a Matthew 11:28 experience for me. It was, first, a coming to Jesus. The conference put the priorities of Christ’s kingdom at the top of the list. Also, the teaching and the fellowship centered around what it means to belong to Him.

Second, it was a time of rest. Teaching in sometimes hostile environments can be draining; however, the CELT conference was a time of refreshing. There was a sense of being at home. Being with fellow believers and talking to each other as Christian professionals was a welcome relief.

The plenary and elective sessions offered much that was stimulating and many of the common challenges faced by Christians in ELT were addressed: The arguments of critics were challenged, the richness of scripture as a source of inspiration for teaching was acknowledged, and the desire for excellence that Christ might be glorified was thoroughly addressed (some ideas were to use technology such as webcams and Internet-based TV commercials for maximum impact).

Finally, the conference was a time of taking on Christ’s yoke.

The hints of its potential were found in the call for research focussed on CELT realities, the networks that were established to solve ongoing problems, and the satisfaction that all felt having done this for the first time. It is my hope and prayer, my determined ambition, to see the CELT continue in its role of strengthening God’s people as they do this important work.