Don’t get me wrong, I’m very excited about Orange. I’m expecting to learn some stuff I didn’t know before and get blown-away, challenged and encouraged all at the same time. However, there’s something else I’m looking forward to more than these things. Seeing and hanging out with some of my favorite people in the world!

I’ve been fortunate to have gotten to see Sam Luce, Matt McKee, Jonathan Cliff and Gina McClain multiple times since last year at Orange. I feel like practically see Sam every month. 🙂 But Orange is the one time I get to see all of these friends at once. I love it!

In addition to those other guys, I get to see other good friends that I know and love. I get to share a meal with Brother Jim at least twice as well as Kendra from North Point, Anthony from California, Rob from Down Under, Craig from Mississippi, Jenny from Birmingham, Dan from Michigan, and so many others, I just don’t have time to list them all.

I’m also so excited to meet some folks that I’ve not ever met in person. One guy I’m looking forward to giving a big bear hug to is Jared Massey. I’ve not met him yet, but I feel like I’ve known him for years. In case you didn’t know, he’s got the top kidmin blog in the world! There’s a bunch of other people who said they’d like to meet me and I’m looking forward to meeting and getting to know every one.

I’m also so pumped to meet some I’ve never met online or offline before. I expect to go home having made some new friends. Wow, how rich am I?

Not only as Orange created a great venue for learning and growing, they’ve created a place where relationships can begin and continue. Seriously, every year it feels like a massive reunion!

That’s just me. Here’s my little soap box to end with. If attending a conference like Orange isn’t more an more like a reunion the longer you’ve been in ministry, you’re doing it wrong! Don’t do ministry alone! Share, connect, network and invite others into your life and ministry. It’s the best thing you’ll ever do! If you’ve not done that before, start this week!