I’ve been in another world for the last two weeks, but as it turns out, not one much different than ours. After spending weeks planning, interviewing, writing and putting together the December issue of Rejuvenate — the international meetings issue no less — I traveled to Africa to experience what I thought was a holiday from work (not the reason I went, but an added benefit). The personal trip to Cameroon and Kenya with a few friends included spending time in children’s homes and helping out in a clinic, but my work followed me there. I experienced firsthand that faith-based meetings, conventions, tourism, hospitality and face-to-face events really are universal.

As I arrived at the Presbyterian Guesthouse complex where I would be staying in Kumba, Cameroon, I saw a banner hanging above the entrance welcoming the Presbyterian Church of Cameroon (PCC) 2010 Annual Synod for the coming weekend. The general assemblies, annual conventions and national meetings that I’d written about during the last couple months for Rejuvenate came to mind, and I wondered how different a national meeting in Africa might be.

I had the chance to find out when my friends and I had dinner at the home of the PCC Health Services Secretary Mr. Godlove Nubed. We discussed (and explained to our colleagues) the similarities and differences between American and African national meetings, namely how elections work, issues are discussed and the hierarchy of the denomination. As we sat and talked (and ate and ate), I realized that all of us in the meetings world really do speak the same language. Though the issues were different, the purpose of faith-based organizations gathering to discuss their visions, missions and goals is the same.

The timing for this experience was perfect. The week before I left, I interviewed Passion Conferences Director of Events Cheryl Bell about the similarities and differences between U.S. and international events she discovered while planning the Passion World Tour. Look for the interview, as well as additional articles about international guidelines, destinations and testimonials in the December issue of Rejuvenate.