The annual corporate business meetings of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, Grace College & Seminary, and the Brethren Missionary Herald Company were the features of the opening evening session of Equip07, the Grace Brethren national conference being held this week on the campus of Grace College & Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana.
FGBC moderator Tim Boal guided delegates through a lengthy agenda which included voting seven new churches into the Fellowship, approving Asia’s Hope as a cooperating ministry, adopting a number of resolutions from the Social Concerns Committee, conducting elections of Fellowship Council members, and much more.
Elected to serve on the Fellowship Council for the years 2007-2011 were Phil Helfer from the western region, Brian “Skip” White from the central region, and Doug Black from the eastern region.
A budget of $361,250 was approved for the coming fiscal year, and the Structures Committee presented and explained wording for proposed changes to the constitution and manual of procedures that are designed to allow for more continuity of leadership.
The Grace College & Seminary corporation meeting was conducted by board chair Paul Mutchler and Grace president Ron Manahan, with a number of new faculty members being introduced.
The Brethren Missionary Herald corporation meeting was conducted by board chair Dr. Todd Scoles, with a financial report by treasurer Bruce Barlow and an activity update by executive director and publisher Terry White.
The meeting was followed by a dedication of the $9.1 million Orthopaedic Capital Center in which the conference is meeting.
Classes in the Equip07 schedule begin tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. Monday evening’s plenary session will feature Brad Powell, senior pastor of NorthRidge Church of Plymouth, Michigan, as speaker. It will be preceded by a Chaplains Appreciation Dinner and Grace Brethren Investment Foundation corporation meeting in the Alpha Hall Dining Commons.