Dr. Mark Saunders, who recently retired from a long-term ministry as pastor of the historic First Grace Brethren Church in Dayton, Ohio, has been named by the Association of Grace Brethren Ministers to be AGBM’s Director of Pastoral Ministry.
Saunders says, “I am excited about this new position with AGBM because it gives me the opportunity to give back to the pastors and leaders in our fellowship what the fellowship has given to me. After many years in the ministry, I have come to realize that there are a lot of ups and downs in pastoring. The times I was down, I needed someone I could talk to that would listen to me and give godly words of encouragement. Fortunately I had someone there for me during those times.”
The latest e-mail newsletter from AGBM president, Joel Richards, of Modesto, Calif., indicates that AGBM wants every pastor and leader in the Fellowship to know that there is someone who cares and will listen.
Several pastors will be representing AGBM in their regions. Currently these men are Roy Halberg/S. California; Greg Howell/Northwest; Joel Richards/N. California; Bob Arenobine/Central; Bob Combs/Ohio; Dan White/Northeast; Randy Smith/Florida. These men will be making regular contact with the pastors and leaders in their regions to support, encourage, pray and listen as needed.
Saunders concluded, “This new position and structure is designed to benefit the members of the AGBM and the pastors and leaders in our Fellowship. It is my prayer that a year from now, every pastor and leader in our Fellowship will have been encouraged by one of our AGBM representatives in some tangible way.”