By Shanna DiPaolo, March 2008

A participant learns about global issues at the Fusion Experience in Dallas, TX, an event hosted by Rightnow.

The heat was intense outside - mid-September days in Dallas often reach 90 degrees. But inside Irving Bible Chapel the intensity was caused by another reason entirely.  Thousands of adults in their 20s and 30s listened as author Donald Miller urged them to view their lives as a story.  "The things we want in life tell us if our life story is going to have meaning," he said. 

The packed auditorium seemed to sit on edge as Miller presented his case: a story of a life spent serving God is a story worth telling.  "Story is full of conflict," he said. "The protagonist who gives into conflict is in a tragedy.  We must believe we're on a terrific journey."

Miller was a speaker at the Fusion Experience in Dallas, Texas.  The conference, September 21 and 22, was hosted by Rightnow , an organization connecting people to opportunities to serve God. Fusion was designed for adults in their 20s and 30s, a weekend for changing the course of their story, becoming a participant in the one that God is writing.

Fusion was Avant's introduction to the Millennials, a generation with traits as distinctive as the proverbial pins they wear to represent their favorite bands and causes. This is an overcommitted generation raised on technology and pushed to find earthly success, says author and speaker Margaret Feinberg . These distinctives influence the way those in their 20s and 30s view missions. "This generation is willing to question everything, and they'll find the answer," she said. "Their desire to innovate and do things differently will translate to the way they lead the church."

They also want to feel useful, knowing they are working towards measurable, accomplishable goals - chapters in a story that is moving forward and continually developing.  Brian Mosley, the director of Rightnow, himself a Millennial, thinks his generation is in danger of being passed over by missions organizations that aren't sure how to interact with this unique generation.  "We can't miss out on this whole generation of twenty and thirtysomethings. They are capable of doing incredible work on the field," he said.

Miller's rapt audience was dismissed to explore booths set up outside of the auditorium, each booth offering ways to integrate adventure, risk and service into their life's story.  Opportunities were presented to serve in the United States and abroad, in summer camps, teaching English, working with youth, ministering to adults. An interactive Trade Store display allowed attendees the chance to send Bibles to China, build an orphanage in Africa and donate toothbrushes and blankets locally.

Raised in a media-saturated society, the Millennials view the world as a global village, said Feinburg.  "The previous generation had to pioneer [missions fields].  Now, missions no longer seems like this distant, far thing," she said.  Perhaps it was this trait that enabled such natural participation at the Trade Store.  The participants grasped the partnership between technology and ministry that makes it possible for a person in Dallas to serve someone a world away. At every turn, it seemed an adventure was waiting, an opportunity to introduce passion into the story.

At the Avant booth, many were intrigued by the idea of a 5 year commitment to a Short-Cycle Church Planting team.  Having a specific time frame in which to meet a goal gave them a sense of urgency and a desire to accomplish the difficult.  According to Mosely, Millennials want to tackle project-based assignments. "They want to be told, ‘We want you to accomplish this specific task and see it to completion,'" he said. Even more encouraging was the idea of a missions-sending organization that recruits and trains teams of missionaries, each with his or her own responsibilities, a fundamental Short-Cycle principle.

Millennials like stories with ensemble casts.  They crave community and teamwork, and they want to know they aren't the lone character in a story. Avant's philosophy of sending teams of skilled individuals, each with his or her own job appeals to this desire. Felicity Tinker, Rightnow's mobilization coordinator, said it's important that Millennials are involved in work that utilizes their talents.  "They want to be recruited for their skills, they like to do what they're good at doing," she said.  "To really give of themselves they want to be needed for who they are."

As the evening came to an end many filled out cards that indicated interest in one of the ministries represented, leaving them with the coordinators of the Fusion Experience.  The cards were just a place to write down contact information and a few personal details - but they represented more than that.  They were about to reveal a crucial plot point, a twist in the story, something to move it along to a satisfying resolution.