The Workshop

Missionaries looking to improve their speaking skills have found Missionary Communication Workshop to be a good resource for improvement. Deputation missionaries going to the field for the first time and veteran missionaries, single missionaries and couples, those with much speaking experience and those with little, all report that Missionary Communication Workshop made a significant difference in their speaking ability.

Here's What They're Saying...


"Every missionary can learn to be a better communicator by attending this workshop."

-Vicki, Deputation Missionary


"After years of preaching, I wondered what could be gained by attending this workshop. From the first night until the last session I gained valuable tools for ministry. The improvement of all our small group was amazing."

-Tim, Veteran Missionary


"The workshop has given me the tools I need to effectively and concisely say what I need to say."

-Jeremy, Deputation Missionary


"The workshop has been the highlight of our furlough.  Though we have been missionaries for a long time, the workshop challenged us to hone and improve our skills in order to better communicate our passion for spreading the gospel."

-Jill, Veteran Missionary

The Coaches


  • Lewis & Karen McClendon

    Lewis and Karen have worked together in ministry since 1971. Lewis has been a youth pastor, executive pastor and Senior Pastor.  Together Lewis and Karen founded Ponderosa Pines Christian Camp, now known as Camp Pondo, in 1982. Karen was the cook and registrar, and Lewis ran the program. In 1995 they returned to Ventura Baptist Church, and Lewis became the Senior Pastor in 1998. Once Lewis became the pastor, he and Karen began visiting the missionaries Ventura Baptist Church supported. To date they have been in over 40 countries.  When Lewis had a burden to help missionaries with their presentations, he and Karen put together Missionary Communication Workshop. Karen helps with the manuals and scheduling, and she is a coach for the ladies. Lewis is one of the men’s coaches and teaches some of the classes.

  • Brian & Rachael Weed

    Brian and Rachael moved to Nicaragua in March of 2002.  Since that time they have seen God richly bless the ministry.  They have 7 churches running under national leadership.  Many of these churches now have multiple satellite churches.  They have 7 children's feeding centers at these main locations as well as satellite feeding centers at the new locations.  They also have 3 sports centers strategically located in different sectors of Nicaragua.  These centers reach out to children and teens in areas where they have very little future and drug trafficking is becoming a common trade.  In June of 2011 they had their official opening of the medical clinic, serving 400-600 people monthly in a region that had no previous medical attention.  All of this points to the local church, reaching others and training up future generations of Kingdom builders.

  • Steve & Jenell Bender

    Steve & Jenell were approved as Baptist Bible Fellowship missionaries to Korea in September 1984. They arrived in Korea on September 17, 1984 and served as BBF missionaries until April 1998 at which time God moved them to Springdale, Arkansas. In Springdale, Steve served as associate pastor at Temple Baptist Church until moving to Springfield, MO and becoming Associate Mission Director for the Baptist Bible Fellowship International in August 2000. In the BBFI Mission Office his primary duties entail director of Missionary Care and administration of the Missionary Projects Offering.  Steve travels extensively visiting missionaries on the field and preaching Mission Conferences & Mission Weekends in the USA.  He is passionate about missions and particularly seeing BBF missionaries become even greater communicators of the Gospel. Jenell has had the privilege to sing and speak to audiences all across the United States and many foreign countries.  Jenell is a talented vocalist and gifted Bible teacher.  With transparency, energy and a sense of humor, she shares out of the richness of her life experiences and God’s Word.  Jenell’s desire is to refresh those to whom she speaks by sharing about real life challenges and the grace of a very real and loving Heavenly Father.

Is This For Us?

Speaking in various settings is one of the most effective ways missionaries have to connect with people and as a result raise prayer and financial support. Public speaking in any form, including preaching, teaching, or presenting the field God has called you to, is a difficult skill to master. Good communicators spend a lifetime and significant resources honing their speaking skills. Missionary Communication Workshop is an outstanding opportunity for missionaries to dramatically improve their speaking ability.


IMPORTANT NOTE:  This workshop is designed for both husband and wife.  We believe it is critical for both of you to attend since you both have opportunities to present your field in churches and to individuals.  Brian, Steve, and Lewis will teach the general sessions and lead the men’s evaluated speaking sessions, Brian’s wife, Rachael, Steve's wife, Jenell, and Lewis’ wife, Karen will lead the ladies’ evaluated speaking sessions.


The workshop will include lecture time, discussion time and daily evaluated speeches. Unfortunately, this intense schedule does not allow you to have infants or children with you at the camp.  Since every part of this workshop is crucial, those who are accepted must agree not to accept any engagement that would conflict with any part of the workshop.  


Missionary Communication Workshop is available to missionaries of the Baptist Bible Fellowship and endorsed Baptist Church Ministry Network missionaries. Missionaries from other Independent Baptist Mission Organizations may contact Abound for information about scheduling workshops for your organization.

Next Workshop Date

This year's workshop will be Sunday, November 4th through Friday, November 9th, 2018

at Ponderosa Pines Christian Camp in Running Springs, CA.


Register Here!

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

-Acts 1:8