This week I continued the We Believe visitation saga in the Great Lakes Region. The meetings went much like in the other regions with variable attendance and great conversation. The input accumulated will help the writing team when they meet in Findlay on February 23 to revise the draft copy. That’s the purpose of these visits. I praise God for the many excellent Bible teachers and preachers we have in our fellowship. Personally, I have enjoyed the dialogue at each of the meetings. It’s encouraging to me that the theological and social drift away from the authority of God’s Word seen elsewhere is not found in the CGGC. PTL! That being said I thought I’d use this eNews article to tell about several of the Ohio churches we visited rather than review the meetings in detail. One of the purposes of this weekly eNews is to connect our people by telling the stories of what the Lord is doing around the CGGC. He never ceases to amaze me.

Early Monday morning Dave Green, the Great Lakes director, and I set out for our Ridgeway Church in Mansfield, Ohio for the first meeting. Pastor John Dodds and several men of the church prepared a “farmer’s breakfast” for everyone. Move over Bob Evans! After feasting on stuff not recommended by a cardiologist, we reviewed the draft documents.

Some of those present at the Ridgeway meeting

Before leaving, Pastor John gave me “the tour” and filled me in on the story of the congregation. It began in 1943 as a church plant from the then Synagogue Church of God. By 1960, the congregation outgrew its original facility so they built a new sanctuary and educational rooms while Pastor Royal and Rosie Kear served the church (1960-1963). The congregation continued to grow and expanded its facility several more times in subsequent years. In 2009, they paved their parking lot.

Our next stop on Monday was a luncheon meeting in Celina. While there, we visited our Celina First facility. Celina First organized in 1916 with 36 members following a six week “tent meeting.” In 1920, they built a brick bethel in town that served the congregation until 1986 when the congregation moved to its present location at the northwest edge of town. The church experienced some ups and downs after the move, but presently appears to be growing again under Pastor Bruce Strine and his associate, Matt Eding. The positive combination of facility, location, leadership and God’s blessing is bound to produce forward momentum. I particularly enjoyed the fine art that adorns the foyer of the sanctuary and thought it added a touch of class to an already attractive facility.

Some of the artwork at Celina (above and right)

After the meeting we drove six miles out of Celina to view the new construction at Mt. Tabor. The church began in the local Methodist meeting house and after four years, they built their own bethel in 1883. The old frame structure served the congregation for over a century being remodeled numerous times. In 1990, the congregation stepped out in faith and began to build a new worship facility, finally dedicated in October 1992.

The current Mt. Tabor facility

Seven years later the church expanded the facility adding classrooms, an expanded foyer and additional restrooms. Then last year the church launched a major expansion project adding nearly 9800 square feet. The congregation hopes to occupy the new multipurpose building Easter weekend.

Exterior of the new multipurpose building at Mt. Tabor

Frankly, what’s happening at Mt. Tabor is nothing short of amazing. Pastor Jim Keyser and the Mt. Tabor leaders are to be commended for their vision and faith. This new addition will open up many ministry options and provide an opportunity for the church to move to a higher level of impact in the community.

The Findlay group

Tuesday noon, Dave and I hosted a meeting in Findlay. It was the largest attended of the three meetings with fourteen present representing ten churches. Like the other gatherings, this one also provided some interesting discussion and many helpful suggestions. The final draft of the new We Believe will be much better after all the suggestions and input are considered.

Pastor Ed