Posted on 2009-05-04 19:04:45

The Mid-West Regional Gathering of the Evangelical Association was held on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at St. John's Christian Church in Archbold, Ohio, with 84 in attendance.  Attendees came from Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The theme of the event was "Arise! Gather. Grow. Glorify!" This gathering was both uplifting and encouraging to all. The workshops that were presented brought inspiration and encouragement, as well as challenge to the people whose churches were represented.

 

 

The morning and afternoon worship gatherings were spiritually satisfying to the soul. We were challenged in the morning worship by Pastor Erich Christman, of St. John's, to be people who are to arise, to gather, to grow, and to glorify the Lord Jesus in all of life. That morning message was highlighted by a drama, entitled: "Jesus Christ: The same yesterday, and today, and forever." This dramatic presentation was powerful! Thanks, Pastor Erich and church staff! Watch the short YouTube video segment below to get a taste of Opening Worship.

 

Pastor Randy Luther of Cross Community Church in Berne, Indiana led the afternoon Communion service. It was certainly a great time in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit as we gathered as a united church to partake of the sacraments. We did this together so that we might return as the scattered church to do His will in our individual communities in which we have been called to serve.

 

Several of the E.A. Pastors led the workshops in the morning and afternoon sessions, all contextualized around the local church and the "how-to's" of "doing" church. These sessions ranged from worship to children's ministries, from leadership development to youth, from connecting with the Evangelical Association to missions endeavors.

The date for the third annual Mid-West Regional gathering has already been set, and will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at the First Reformed Church in Bluffton, Indiana. Please make your plans now to attend, as the Evangelical Association continues its endeavors to bridge communities together.

 Rev. Adam Just, Associate Pastor of St. John's Christian Church, Archbold, OH, leads participants in praise music during opening worship.

Tony Mellinger, Youth Pastor, Cross Community Church, Berne, IN, explores the future of Youth Ministry with attendees in a workshop entitled "Building a Youth Ministry in Your Church."

Rev. Gene Bell, First Reformed Church, Bluffton, IN, and Rev. Mike Wertenberger, St. Luke's Church, Decatur, IN engage attendees in a workshop on "Leadership Development."

Rev. Erich Christman, St. John's Christian Church, Archbold, OH, shares stories of his church's passion for kids in a workshop entitled "Building a Children's Ministry in Your Church."

 

Participants discuss options for growing children's ministry within the EA. 

 

Rev. Ron Shifley from Living Faith Christian Community, Spencerville, OH, led discussion in the workshop, "Using Multimedia in Worship & Christian Education." 

Members from St. John's Christian Church provided outstanding hospitality at the Midwest Regional Gathering; from greeting people in the parking lot as they arrived to serving up a delicious meal at lunch time.

One of the real bonuses of the Regional Gathering was the networking, fellowship and friendships kindled and re-kindled among churches of the Evangelical Association.