Deep in the DNA of the Charis Fellowship is the drive for churches to help other churches through cooperative ministry. Our movement began in 1708 AD from a desire to see a church live out the principles of the New Testament. In the early church we see some great examples of interdependence and helping each other out. For example, Peter and John were sent to Samaria to help Phillip (Acts 8), Barnabas was sent to assist the work in Antioch (Acts 11), and numerous times financial support and resources were provided to churches in need (Rom 15; 1 Corinthians 16; 2 Corinthians 8–9; Act 11).
As we look back at this past year, what a joy it is to observe numerous examples of connection and interdependence throughout the Charis Fellowship, with churches helping each other navigate pandemic challenges, building renovations and repairs, and aiding churches and ministries impacted by floods and other disasters. In 2022, may God continue to be honored as we connect and serve Him together! —Tim Hodge, Charis Fellowship Coordinator
Work Crew Blesses Crossroads Community Church
When the basement of Crossroads Community Church in Wissinoming, Pa., flooded in 2020, Pastor Peter Forshtay was at a loss of how to move forward. Through a series of connections, Penn Valley Church in Telford, Pa., heard of the need and sent a team to handle the bulk of the clean up and remodel.
Read the whole story here.
Charis Connections Provide Flood Relief
Mike Tabor, pastor of The Happy Church in Jackson, Ky., woke one morning in March to find several feet over water covering the church campus. That same day, he received phone calls from several churches within the Charis Fellowship. People across the Midwest were eager to help. Within the first week, Community of Hope in Columbia City, Ind. (Jeremy Wike, senior pastor), Centerville Grace in Centerville, Ohio (Dave Holmes, lead pastor), and East Side Grace in Blacklick, Ohio (Beau Stanley senior pastor), sent supplies and teams. The following week teams from Grace Fellowship in Pickerington, Ohio (Keith Minier, lead pastor), and Grace Church, Bath campus, in Akron Ohio (Jeff Bogue, senior pastor), arrived.
Read the whole story here.
Charis Connections in Central Ohio
In July, two pastors in the North Central Ohio District discussed how their connection through the Charis Fellowship enabled their ministries to thrive. Rob Barlow, lead pastor at Northwest Chapel in Dublin, Ohio, and Mark Artrip, lead pastor at Movement Church in Hilliard, Ohio, shared how their pooled resources enabled both churches to continue to meet throughout the pandemic and building renovations.
Read the whole story here.
This story appeared in GraceConnect eNews. To subscribe to the weekly e-newsletter that includes news and information from congregations in the Charis Fellowship, click here.