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News from the Annual Gathering of the
American Baptist Churches of Oregon
October 22-24, 2010
Eastwood Baptist Church in Medford
♦ Esperanza Church Plant Announced
First Baptist Church of Portland and The American Baptist Churches of Oregon, together with church planter Rev. Miriam Mendez, announced the formation of a leadership core with plans to plant a new Spanish-speaking congregation in east Portland this winter.
♦ Haiti Mission Connection
The Revs. Gregg Sneller (Grant Park, Portland) and Tim Moore (FBC, Bandon) shared in the business meeting and also in two workshops their plans to develop partnerships between Oregon Baptists and ABC missionaries in Haiti. Receiving particular attention was the Rubble House project in which permanent housing is built utilizing the rubble that was created by the earthquake.
♦ New Covenant Baptist Church
Pastor Victor Reynolds was introduced as the pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church, a congregation that was received into region membership during the last year.
♦ New Pastors Introduced
Three new pastors (in addition to Victor Reynolds, above) were introduced at the Annual Gathering. The Rev. Randy (Helen) Pearson accepted the call to Grace, Portland; the Rev. Tim (Kim) Moore accepted the call to FBC, Bandon; and Pastor Reed (Kelsey) Webster has begun his work at FBC, Yreka, CA.
♦ California Church Leaders Welcomed
As was reported in the recent issue of The Oregon Baptist, there are several churches currently affiliated with the American Baptist Churches of the West (Growing Healthy Churches) which are contemplating seeking membership in ABCO. About 25 pastors and lay leaders made the trip to Medford to participate in the weekend’s activities, including the Ministers Council continuing education seminar on Conflict Transformation. The Rev. Don Ng, Senior Pastor of First Chinese Baptist Church in San Francisco, preached the closing worship service on Sunday morning from Joel 2, “The Early Rain.”
♦ Camp Arrah Wanna, Inc.
Executive Director Laura Young and Board Chair Tom McClellan presented the new program and property management agreement and answered questions from the audience before the vote was taken to approve the Board of Ministries’ action transferring financial and operational oversight of the camp to the newly-formed corporation.
♦ 2011-2012 Officers Elected
Words of sincere thanks were shared to express our gratitude to Rev. George Nye, president, Rev. Tod Scheler, vice-president, and Don Watson, budget and finance officer, for their valuable service to the region during these last two years.
The gathering also acknowledged the service rendered by outgoing board members Ken Howe, Edye McCarty, Barbara Galbraith, Pat Waggoner, Sid Johnson, Roland Shanks, Norm Lawson, and Margie Ogden.
The following individuals were elected to serve:
President - Carol A. Wheeler (FBC, Portland)
Vice President - Rev. Tim Moore (FBC, Bandon)
Budget and Finance - Rev. Ev Curry (Cedar Hills, Portland)
Ministry of Administration - *Wayne Bridges (FBC, Portland)
Ministry of Pastoral Services - *Rev. RT Miller (Eastwood, Medford)
Ministry of Outreach - Don Watson (Calvary, Salem)
Ministry of Outdoor Ministries - Chuck Larson (Calvary, Salem)
Ministry of Education - Corey Hughes (FBC, Cottage Grove)
Member at Large - Shirley Geisler (FBC, Gresham)
Member at Large - Rev. A. Wayne Johnson (Morning Star, Portland)
Member at Large - *Jim Blackwell (Calvary, Salem)
Member at Large - Rev. John Nichols (FBC, Athena)
Member at Large - *Rev. Gary Rice (FBC, Coos Bay)
Member at Large - *Rev. Rob Sturdivant (Valley River, Eugene)
Auxiliary Representative - Camp Arrah Wanna
Auxiliary Representative - American Baptist Men
Auxiliary Representative - American Baptist Women
Auxiliary Representative - Ministers Council
*These individuals will continue to serve in completion of their previously elected terms. |
