National organization Open Houses were held Tuesday afternoon of Equip05, immediately after classes ended for the day. The Open House at Brethren Missionary Herald Co. hosted approximately 100 people for an autograph party that featured BMH Books authors Robert Cover and Viki Rife, Jesse Deloe, Dr. Homer Kent, Jr., and Dr. John Davis. When FGBC moderator John Teevan suggested several years ago that the national conference should adopt alternating emphases–equipping one year, celebrating the next–no one was quite sure what to expect.
With Equip05 now history, it was, by all accounts, a great success. More than 400 people enrolled in the 20+ classes that were offered, some for doctoral credit, and hundreds more came to Winona Lake the last days of July and first days of August to celebrate what God is doing in Grace Brethren churches and people around the world.
Fellowship Coordinator Tom Avey, assisted by Charles Ashman and Sandy Barrett, planned and implemented this year’s conference, which was held in Winona Lake, IN, the dates of July 31-August 5, 2005.
Kevin Mincey (center), pastor of Disciples of Christ Outreach of Washington, DC, was interviewed Monday night of Equip05 by FGBC moderator Dan Allan (left). At right is Dr. Tim Boal, executive director of Grace Brethren North American Missions. Mincey’s church was one of five voted into membership in the FGBC. The others are Still Waters Grace Brethren Church of Pottstown, PA (Pastor Kork Moyer); Iglesia Biblica de Fe of Lancaster, CA (Pastor Oscar Chavez); Family of Grace of Mason, OH (Pastor Ned Denlinger); and Immanuel Grace Brethren Church of Quakertown, PA (Pastor Scott Klausfelder). Registration opened Sunday afternoon, and the kickoff celebration meeting featured music by Jeremiah Olson and the worship team from the Goshen, IN, Grace Community Church and addresses by pastors Neil Cole of Long Beach, CA, and Mike Lee of Raleigh, NC. GBNAM missionaries were commissioned Sunday night, as well.
Classes began Monday morning, and at each morning’s breakfast time in Alpha Hall on the Grace College campus there was a “Jump Start” with music and pastors giving a devotional. Speakers included Dan Gregory (Columbia City, IN); Jim Brown (Philadelphia); Ron Manahan (Grace College and Seminary); Robert MacMillan (Tracy, CA); and John McIntosh (Simi Valley, CA).
Monday night’s gala event in the Rodeheaver Auditorium featured a complimentary dinner by Grace Brethren Investment Foundation in honor of its 50th anniversary, followed by business meetings of the FGBC (Dan Allan, moderator) and various national organizations. Five churches were welcomed into the Fellowship, Jim Brown of Goshen was elected as second moderator-elect, and new Fellowship Council members elected included Mike Lee, Andy Wirt, and Tom Hocking.
Retired Grace College music professor Donald Ogden assembled a volunteer choir to sing “Master the Tempest is Raging” and “I Am” as part of the BMH-sponsored hymnsing on Tuesday night of Equip05. A special highlight was the return of many Grace College choir alumni to sing the eight-part arrangement of “A Mighty Fortress” with which Ogden traditionally closed choir concerts. Homecoming in November of 2005 will highlight the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Grace College Choir, and alumni are invited to be present to sing favorite choir repertoire from past choir tours. (Tim Ziebarth photo) Tuesday afternoon all national organizations hosted Open Houses. A barbecue at Grace Village Retirement Center was followed by the choice of open recreation or a BMH-sponsored hymnsing in the Grace Village chapel, featuring Don Ogden, Bill Schaffer, Miriam Uphouse Christiansen, and others.
Wednesday evening’s main session featured incoming moderator Keith Shearer delivering his moderator’s address, along with the commissioning of more than 20 GBIM missionary family units. Thursday evening again included a choice of open recreation or a “Brethren Heritage Tour” sponsored by the Brethren Missionary Herald Co.
Next year’s conference, Celebrate06, will return to the celebration format, and will be held in Indian Wells, California, July 29-August 3, 2006. Watch www.fgbc.org for details.
