Orange: The reThink Group. You can snoop around on the website and learn a little bit about what we do, but in a nutshell, we promote a ministry strategy, through church curriculum, that we believe revolutionizes the way people approach children and student ministries.
Our strategy is "thinking orange". By combining the critical influences of the light of the church (yellow) and the love of the family (red) the Orange Strategy shows a generation who God is more effectively than either could alone. Our hope is that church leaders and parents would synchronize their efforts to fuel wonder, discovery and passion in the next generation.
Anyhoo, I work directly with the preschool curriculum. I am considered an "Orange Specialist" for First Look (the curriculum), which means I walk alongside Pre-school leaders, helping them implement the curriculum, and orange strategy at their church.
Two weeks ago our company held our annual Orange Conference. Over 4,000 ministry leaders across the world gathered in Atlanta to learn more about the Orange Strategy.
My friend, who also works with First Look, rode up to Atlanta with me, and our husbands who volunteered for the conference, came up later in the week. Here are some snapshots of our adventure...
Mel and I on our way to Atlanta...
The night before the conference actually started, we had what was called a "Meet and Greet". All of us Orange Specialists, were set up at different stations, and church leaders who we have talked with on the phone and emailed with came through, and we were able to meet them and talk with them. It was such a sweet night! I loved getting to put faces with names of people who I've been talking with. (unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of the actual event once it got started....oh well!)
Getting the centerpiece ready for the Meet and Greet...
Some of the other Orange Specialists...love these ladies..
Rolling t-shirts, prepping for the conference...
One of the stores (we spent hours setting up), as people start to trickle in...
Two great ladies...Gina and Stephanie. I've known Gina for awhile now, and I met Stephanie for the first time this week. What a joy they are!
My hubby and his friend rocking their shoes...
Watching the band get prepped and ready to go for the first session.... The girl singing in this picture sang an opener...She is 15, and Elton John wants to sign her! To say she was inspiring is an understatement! You can hear her sing the opener, here. Also, one night, a 13 year old boy led us in worship for one song, with his mom singing background vocals. You can watch that, here.
Now would be a good time to mention that since it is called the 'orange' conference, and we are crazy about the 'orange strategy', everything about the conference is, well, orange. And almost everyone you see wears something orange on them at all times. It's quirky and fun, and it means that someone will always wear something crazy.
Here's me and my hubby, and my orange flower. :)
Worship...amazing..
Possibly one of the greatest highlights of the week....one of the guys who always does some kind of funny skit during the sessions was in need of some volunteers who would be willing to do something crazy (in front of 4500 people)...and I knew the perfect guy...
Yes, that is my husband on the far right.... :) It was hysterical. I thought about trying to type up what exactly the skit was like, but after one attempt to explain via blog, I decided you really just had to be there. Wish you were! It was great!
I was so blessed that week to meet and be surrounded by literally thousands of people who truly are revolutionizing the way we do church, and I was equally blessed to have been able to have my husband with me as well. :)
And we were both PUMPED to return home to this little guy.....
Monica
