This week all roads in our Eastern region led to Doubling Gap Center (the region’s retreat center located in the Appalachian Mountains) for the Conference’s eighth annual session.

Pastors and delegates began arriving early Monday morning for the opening ordinance service. Pastors George Spangler and Dale Miller (President and vice president of the conference) led worship and shared messages upon the importance of serving and sacrifice. The ordinance of feet washing is always a touching moment as the men fellowship and sing together during the observance. I can’t speak for the ladies’ experience, but Linda tells me it is equally meaningful. The morning proceeded with the usual business, but included a special presentation to Dr. Ken and Arlene Boldosser. “Dr. B.” as he is affectionately known served as a pastor in the conference beginning in 1941 and as the first superintendent from 1961-1983. He also served the General Conference in many capacities including President, chairman of the capital campaign for our Christian Ministries Center in Findlay and Winebrenner Seminary board member since its inception in 1942. In recognition of Dr. B’s long and dedicated service the Conference voted to approve raising $250K across the Conference as a gift to Winebrenner Seminar in his honor. The Boldossers also received the first of a framed, limited edition print of John Winebrenner that the seminary will be making available across the CGGC. Praise God for such faithful servants as Ken and Arlene!

Rick Rusaw came as the keynote speaker for the sessions. He serves as senior pastor at Life Bridge Christian Church in Longmont, Colorado. Some of you may remember him from General Conference last year. I understand he will also be coming to our Great Lakes and Midwest Conferences later this summer. He challenged each church in the Conference to be an “Externally Focused Church” which is the title of his current book. He talked about how the church can be and become a presence in its community through service. His congregation began by raking leaves across their town as a help to the local people and city government. From there they branched out into other tasks to support the work of the local schools and community agencies. Over time these activities brought the church’s ministry increased credibility as well as a strong voice in community affairs. Rick challenged us with the question, “If your church closed tomorrow, would your community miss you?” What do you think?

The Conference welcomed Dr. Kevin Richardson as their new Executive Director. He began work on April first overlapping his time for a month with Dr. Tom Lucas who served this past year as the interim director. Kevin grew up in our New Providence church (ERC). He graduated from Winebrenner Seminary (M. Div.) in 1997 and received his doctorate from Asbury Seminary in 2004. His pastoral experience includes ERC congregations at Martinsburg (1997-2001) and Harrisburg United (2002-2008). Conference concluded on Wednesday afternoon with a service of installation for Kevin. He called the Conference to fulfill its mission of “growing healthy churches” by planting new congregations and revitalizing existing churches.

Kevin Richardson Preaches at his Installation Service

Every morning and afternoon the worship team (Pastor Pat and Beth Kelly along with Bobbie and Colleen Gross) led the Conference in praise and worship before each business session. These were sweet times in the Lord. In addition the conference enjoyed a number of other musical highlights. Pastor Rob Wills directed the Conference band that provided a half hour concert of gospel music prior to the Monday evening recognition service. Pastor Tim Landis led a Conference choir and an impromptu men’s chorus. Other special music included the Landisburg church choir Monday evening and solos by Sarah Walker Baumgardner on Tuesday night. Carol Bostian from Harrisburg United also offered two vocal solos for Dr. Kevin’s installation service.

Another Conference highlight included the service of recognition on Monday evening. Joe and Dottie Bistline received the 2008 “Towel and Basin Award” which is presented to an individual or couple (non-pastoral) who have given significant service to Christ and the CGGC.  Both Joe and Dottie are lifelong CGGC members. After their marriage in 1948 they worshipped and raised their family in the Landisburg church, which was Joe’s home congregation. Over the years Joe and Dottie represented their congregation many times at the East Pennsylvania Conference sessions and served as conference delegates to the General Conference. In addition to the multitude of tasks and positions held in their local congregation Joe and Dottie also served the larger church through Christian Endeavor, the CGGC Cumberland-Perry Missionary District, Child Evangelism Fellowship, etc.

Members of the Bistline Family (l to r): Heidi Guyer, Alan Guyer, Joe Bistline, Dottie Bistline, Larry Bistline, Jean Ream and Elizabeth Beers

The Conference also recognized Pastors Gilbert Livingston and Vic Shifler for 25 years of ministry, Dr. Dave Bowers for 40 years and certified Pastors William Groff, Robert Stouffer and George Yerger for retirement.

Tuesday evening the Conference issued annual licenses to ten individuals: Dennis Killinger (New Hope), Jim Klock (Swatara), Beth Kurtz (headed into military chaplaincy), Ed Maxwell and Carolyn Sites (Glenvale), Gene Reineman (Chambersburg), Scott Sweigart (Mt Joy), Roger Templeton Hollidaysburg), Zach Wilt (Bowmansdale) and Dan Winey (WTS student). In addition twelve persons were ordained into the gospel ministry: Sarah Walker Baumgardner (College First, GRC), Kevin Dunlap (Newburg), Ray Duval (Westminister), Heidi Bistline Guyer (Middletown), Larry Hale (Glenvale), Greg Hench (Carlisle), Retta Murray (Harmony Bethel), Tim Robbins, Barry Sellers (Landisville), Matt Shenton (headed into the military chaplaincy), Tracey Utermahlen (Friendship Community) and Anthony Zumbo (Windsor). Dr. Mike Walker preached the ordination message from Philippians 3:7-21 on the theme “Press On!

Ordinands (l to r): Sarah Baumgardner, Kevin Dunlap, Ray Duvall, Heidi Guyer, Larry Hale, Greg Hench, Retta Murray, Tim Robbins, Barry Sellers, Matt Shenton, Tracey Utermahlen and Anthony Zumbo

Statistically, average worship attendance was down in 2007 by 92 (13,346 total), but giving was up by 9%. Income exceeded the budget by 40k, which was also under spent producing a plus balance of 95k. Based on first quarter comparisons financial secretary Jim Bender pointed out that the Conference was on track to exceed the 2007 amounts in 2008. Treasurer Colleen Gross rightly attributed this reality to God’s “favor and blessing” and called the Conference to praise Him and stay committed to making more and better disciples. The Conference gave 35k of the surplus funds to the Boldosser campaign for Winebrenner Seminary and set aside 60k to be used for staff support in carrying out the Conference’s strategic plan.

The Five Past and Present Superintendents of the Eastern Region
Front (l to r): Ken Boldosser, Gail Dunn
Back (l to r): Ed Rosenberry, Kevin Richardson, Tom Lucas

Tuesday afternoon the General Conference gave their report. Lance Finley (discipleship director) reported on some of the outcomes from a recent Youth and Family Life two-day retreat, which included leaders from across the CGGC. The initiatives identified at the gathering will provide the framework for on-going Y&FL ministry over the next several years. Lance also invited everyone to attend the summer gathering of the CGGC at IMPACT in Findlay on July 23-26 (for more information go to http://www.cggc.org/Impact.htm. Don Dennison (missions director) highlighted our ministry outreach around the world that continues to grow and expand. A new field of work is opening for us in Thailand (Brook and Sara Sarver will be going there soon). Don will be visiting Venezuela in June with Pastors Caleb and Christina Acosta from our Divine Healing Hispanic Church to check out possibilities there. After a brief video slide show highlighting our work in the USA, I challenged the Conference churches to reproduce themselves. It’s the New Testament model, the method of multiplication that launched our own movement and the best way to evangelize today. If we would get serious about this, I believe the CGGC could double in a decade. I encouraged each church to seek an increase in their number of conversions, baptisms and dedications. I asked them to pray for lost people and the start-up of new churches. I implore every reader of this report to do the same.

The conference theme was “Footprints.” We walk in the steps of many faithful people who came before us, and our challenge is to be found faithful in this time and generation. As Dr. Tom Lucas so aptly asked us in his remarks, “What footprints will we leave?” Let us be about the Lord’s work with diligence.

Pastor Ed