The Central Focus Retreat for Charis Fellowship leaders kicked off Monday afternoon at The Lodge in Syracuse, Ind. About 50 pastors, staff members, and ministry leaders from churches around the Midwest are gathered for 48 hours of fellowship and refreshment.
Phil Sparling, the executive director of the Charis Fellowship and pastor of Auburn Grace Community Church, a Charis Fellowship congregation in Auburn, Calif., is leading sessions. He is centering teaching around Living Words, particularly Psalm 19:7-11.
Brian Altizer, from Auburn Grace Community Church, Auburn, Calif., is leading worship.
Bavon Jonas, a local church pastor in Bangui, Central African Republic, the new president of the Charis Association of Central Africa, and Dr. Francois Ngoumape, dean of the School of Theology (Seminary), brought greetings from the C.A.R. and shared about their work, including an update on the political situation there. Dave Guiles, executive director of Encompass World Partners, left, introduced the men.
The Lodge is a ministry of Grace Community Church, a Charis Fellowship congregation in Goshen Ind. (Jim Brown, senior pastor).
Click here to see additional photos from the retreat.