Leaders of Grace Brethren ministries gathered today in Columbus, Ohio, for their annual time of connecting and networking. The group has come from around the U.S. and represent both the history national ministries and newer cooperating ministries.
After dinner, Keith Minier, pastor of Grace Fellowship, Pickerington, Ohio, who is planning national conference, reported on the event, which will be held July 25-27 in Fremont, Ohio, at Grace Community Church.
“I want people to come together for a purpose,” he said as he outlined a program that will focus on developing healthy relationships. He noted that one of the biggest strengths in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches are the quality of people in a variety of positions. He wants to be sure those individuals connect face-to-face so that they can be resources to others in the future.
He’s encouraging churches to bring as many of their staff members, both professional and volunteer, as possible. “I’ve intentionally chosen a place where churches don’t have to buy plane tickets to get their staff there,” he stressed.
Following his report, the first of several ministry reports was given. Dr. Russ Woda, president of Three Strands, a cooperating ministry in the FGBC that provides medical care in the Central African Republic and Haiti, share about their work. He noted that the World Health Organization has divided the world into zones, and within their respective zones, those are among the poorest nations.
“We work with the forgotten people,” he said.
The meetings continue tomorrow as each of the representatives present report on their ministries.