BEATENBURG, Switzerland - Avant missionaries serving in Europe headed to the mountains in August for Avant Europe Conference.  Held August 11-15, the biennial conference was a time of relaxation and celebration for all in attendance.

Charles Price from People's Church in Toronto was the feature speaker for the week.  His lessons centered on the theme of "Unlocking Growth" and touched on the idea of growth in prayer, faith and the likeness of Christ.  Scott Harris, vice president of field ministries said Price's messages were well received by the missionaries.  "It was clear the Lord directed Charles to speak in a way that hit exactly where the Avant Europe crew is," said Harris.

Price's message encouraged Vanessa Vannoy, Avant missionary to Paris.  "Charles and Hillary Price did a great job.  God used them to challenge and encourage me, and to make me think," she said.

The conference highlight was celebrating the five milestones recently achieved by Avant missionaries in Europe. Each night a different achievement was recognized, including field director Bob Ehmann's retiring; establishing mature church plants in Austria and in Belgium; missionary Keith Small earning his doctorate in Islamic studies; and Short-Cycle Church Planting Team Poland establishing a mature church plant in Poznan.