Kurt Miller, right, was recognized as Pastor of the Year at the Association of Grace Brethren Ministers meeting on Sunday. Jim Brown, right, presented the award.
Three men with long histories in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches were recognized Sunday by the Association of Grace Brethren Ministers as Margins|2016, the national conference of the FGBC, continued in Toronto, Ontario.
Kurt Miller, pastor and church planter, was recognized as Pastor of the Year. He currently helps lead Crossroads Community Church in the Holmesburg neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pa., and serves as director of strategic partnerships for MetroGrace, a church planting ministry in Philadelphia.
Dr. Ron Manahan received the Excellence in Ministry Award. Now the senior advisor to the president of Grace College and Seminary, he served the college for many years, first as a professor and then as president. Jeff Gill, dean of the seminary, made the presentation.
The late Wayne Beaver was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Beaver, who died on April 6, 2106, was an innovative missionary in the Central African Republic before returning to the states to lead the missions program at Grace Theological Seminary. Jim Hocking, who himself has served in the Central African Republic throughout his career, made the presentation.
The second full day of the conference included challenges from Florent Varak and Paul Klawitter to think globally and act locally as they discussed ministry in the margins of post-Christendom. Mike Yoder, pastor of Polaris Grace Church, Columbus, Ohio, shared about the hyrax from Proverbs 30, while Louise Klawitter, looked at the stealthy lizard, also from Proverbs 30.
Five new churches that are set to join the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches were recognized and will receive a good will gift from the Grace Brethren Investment Foundation. Other new congregations and campus adoptions were also highlighted.
The day started with breakfast and the corporation meeting of the Brethren Missionary Herald Co., parent organization of GraceConnect and BMH Books. Lunch was hosted by the Association of Grace Brethren Ministers. Dinner was sponsored by the Grace Brethren Investment during which the Eagle Commission and Grace Brethren military chaplains were recognized.
The FGBC conference is being held at the the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel,
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- Joel Richards leads the Association of Grace Brethren Ministers meeting
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- Fellowship at the AGBM meeting
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- Kurt Miller shared words of encouragement during the AGBM meeting. Later, he was recognized as Pastor of the Year.
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- Dan White, right, was honored for his years of service on the AGBM board.
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- Pilar Forero, pastor’s wife from Florida, shared her testimony during the Women’s Celebration.
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- An historic gathering, the Canadian churches gathered for the first time.
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- James Shaefer shares about his ministry with the U.S. Army.
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- John Schumacher, endorsing agent for the AGBM, introduces the chaplains present.
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- Billy Graham shares about his ministry with the U.S. Army.
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- Justin Hayes is a chaplain for the Marines.
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- JP tells about his worth with the Reserves in Phoenix
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- George Youstra shares about his work with the U.S. Air Force.
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- Mark Penfold, who is set to become endorsing agent for the FGBC upon his retirement next year, shared about his ministry .
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- Don Shoemaker, who serves as police chaplain in Seal Beach, Calif., prayed for the chaplains.
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- Louise Klawitter spoke about the gecko during the morning celebration.
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- Matt Niemier did his best to communicate with his wife while wearing a mouth space.
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- New churches were recognized.
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- New adoptions were also recognized.
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- Jeff Bogue introduced Carlos and Emily Tellez and Peter Yoo, who will be moving to Atlanta to start a new church there.
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- The day started with the corporation meeting for the Brethren Missionary Herald Co.
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- Jeremiah Olson provided music for the breakfast.
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- Florent Varak, BMH author, shared about his new book.
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- BMH corporation meeting.
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- BMH corporation meeting.
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- Kiddie Pool Trivia
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- Mike Yoder shared in the morning session
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- AGBM lunch
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- AGBM lunch
