Credentialed leaders meet in Upper Sandusky
Forty of Ohio Conference’s credentialed ministers gathered Sept. 12 at the Upper Sandusky Public Library as part of the Conference’s continued Gathered and Sent initiative. It was a day of dwelling in God’s Word (Ephesians 5:1-21), reflecting on the Conference’s Identity Statement released by the Leadership Team in April, fellowship and looking forward to what lies ahead for the Conference. Bruce Breckbill from the Everence office in Kidron shared about both his and Everence’s passion for serving churches in Ohio Conference, especially pastors and helping them stay healthy.
Several of the pastors shared about some of the exciting things that are happening in Conference, including the Missional Discipleship Initiative, which now has about 12 Ohio Conference churches participating. Several pastors from Conference are also participating in the SENT church planting cohort sponsored by Mennonite Mission Network. There is also a church planting conversation scheduled at the Kidron office on Oct. 15, 2019, from 1 to 3 p.m. where others may join in via the Web. The Missional Planning Team also shared about the Engaging Mission family event planned for June 26-28, 2020, at Bluffton University.
Dick Barrett shared about the Conference’s participation in the Journey Missional Leadership Development program sponsored by Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. Ohio Conference now has three pairs of mentors/mentees participating in the three-year educational opportunity designed to raise up leaders and pastors from within our churches.
Time was spent giving thanks to Cliff Brubaker for his years of service as regional pastor and blessing him for his continued pastoral ministry at Zion Mennonite Church and as he explores the ministry of spiritual direction. Bruce Breckbill and the Kidron Everence office provided a cake.