Pastor Jim Cymbala of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, spoke twice on Tuesday on the “Power of the Word” and the “Power of the Spirit.”Celebrate06, the annual adult conference of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, was held July 29-August 3, 2006, at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort in Indian Wells, California. The week’s theme, chosen and directed by FGBC moderator Keith Shearer, was “Hearts on Fire.”
A number of missionaries to foreign fields and church-planters in North America were commissioned by Grace Brethren International Missions and Grace Brethren North American Missions families at Celebrate06. Here GBIM candidates are led in prayer by Pastor Robert Wagner of the Calvert, Maryland, Grace Brethren Church, the home of several of the missionary couples. National conference is organized and implemented by Tom Avey and the Fellowship Coordinator’s staff. Programming for the hundreds of pastors, lay leaders, and church members who came from all over the world included plenary sessions, workshops, recreational activities, and a host of small ad hoc meetings and gatherings for special purposes.
About a dozen national organizations and ministries had displays and personnel on hand, and most days featured meetings of the Women of Grace USA and the Association of Grace Brethren Ministers, who worked at reorganizing the pastors’ and church leaders’ organization.
Pastor Howard and Nancy Mayes of the Clinton, Maryland, Grace Brethren church, were among the CE National supporters who celebrated CE National’s 40th anniversary on Monday night with a tram ride into the San Jacinto mountains and dinner at 8,500 feet. (Ed Trenner photo) The conference next year will be an “equipping” conference in Winona Lake, Indiana, the dates of July 29-August 3, 2007. The theme is “Continuing Your Lifelong Pursuit of Wisdom” and dozens of courses and educational experiences will be available, including many for college or seminary credit. Log onto www.equip07.com for information and schedules.
