Last week, as many of you know, Hancock County experienced another trial by water. The river in Findlay crested at just above sixteen feet which was about two feet less than the August ’07 deluge. Twenty-four inches makes a big difference, but needless to say there still was considerable flooding. On Thursday almost everything in town shut down due to the Federal emergency declaration. The University Board of Trustees still held their meetings which I attended. Dr. Freed in his opening remarks paid tribute to the Churches’ role in the founding and ongoing operations of the University in its 125 year history. His wit came through when he said that the University could learn much from the Church. As he put it, professors in college expect to be paid for teaching whereas “professors” in church expect to pay for preaching. He very ably compared the mission of the Church and the University to provide values over information alone. It is refreshing to have such a godly man as president of the University. The challenge will be whether or not the Board can find someone of equal character and caliber when he retires.

Friday afternoon Linda and I headed north to Our Lady of the Pines Retreat Center in Fremont, Ohio.

A View of the Grotto at the Retreat Center

Dr. John Nissley of Winebrenner Theological Seminary (WTS) invited us to join the faculty and administration at their winter retreat. Getting there proved problematic because of flooding. The Sandusky River that borders the retreat center had become a raging torrent which forced us to take a round about way. Thanks be to God for GPS systems and an innate sense of direction! Friday afternoon we shared our personal faith journeys. I also talked about CGGC Ministries and where I see the Church going in the next several years. I explained that our work today is the same as in Winebrenner’s time. We must take the gospel to whomever, redeem lost people whenever and establish churches on the New Testament plan wherever.

(L to R): Shari Brandeberry, Dianne Resseguie, Gary Staats (in back), Jim Resseguie, Janet Staats

L to R: John Nissley, Lois Nissley, Dave Draper, Linda Draper, Gwen Sandstrom, Carrie Horwedel, Linda Rosenberry, Shari Brandeberry (foreground)

On Saturday we talked about how the Seminary and the CGGC can work more closely together to accomplish God’s will for both organizations. The discussion centered around seven critical aspects of ministry: conversion, commitment, character, conduct, competence, calling and community. It is up to the Seminary and the Church to help pastors be strong in these areas. Pastoral success or lack thereof is directly connected to whether these seven qualities are present and strong or not.

Monday evening this week we drove to Allegheny Region and spent the night at New Stanton. Overnight the weather turned from iffy to winter’s lovely white and the next morning schools all around cancelled classes for the day. I drove to the conference offices outside Greensburg, PA for the monthly meeting of the Administrative Council. I think just about everybody made the meeting, even the guys from Somerset area which is notorious for the worst winter weather in PA. It’s what I call dedication, if not crazy—just kidding, Jim.

Allegheny Region Administrative Council (L to R):
Karen Rhodes, Doug Show, Beth Dunlap, ?, Rob Guy, Bill Smith, Ben Tobias, Jim Monticue, Lee Kline, Tim Beatty, Kevin Hay and Rick Mason

Pastor Doug Show (president) ran an efficient meeting. It was great to hear the positive things happening in youth ministry, Camp Sonrise Mountain and men’s programming. Outgoing executive director Pastor Rick Mason gave a report highlighting several initiatives that needed to be completed after he leaves, including the establishment of an endowed fund for pastoral leadership development modeled on the Great Lakes Foundation.

After the meeting I went back through the snow storm to New Stanton and picked up Linda. We then headed east on the Pa. turnpike to visit family for a day. It was the slowest ride ever due to the weather. We arrived in Shippensburg about 4 p.m. and visited with Linda’s mother who turns 91 in June. Later in the evening we stopped in to see Linda’s eldest sister, Mary Ann, and our brother-in-law, John Fogelsanger, whose cancer has progressed to the final stage. Though he is weak in body, his faith and positive spirit are strong. I don’t know whether we’ll see John again on this side of the golden gate, but it sure is good to know that God is faithful whether or not! We also made a quick stop to see Linda’s older sister, Dottie, and her husband, Mick Martin, before heading to our house in Mooredale (it is on the map—about six miles SW of Carlisle) for the night. Wednesday morning we took my mom out for breakfast. Given the sloppy weather that morning, she was pretty adventuresome for an 88-year-old. After dropping her off at the Church of God Home in Carlisle and changing a flat tire, we headed home to Findlay on a donut. I didn’t allow it to slow me down.

Ed