2014 Ohio Men s Retreat Report

Transcription

1 2014 Ohio Men s Retreat Report On January 23-25, 2014 a crowd of four hundred and fifty four men met at the Heartland Retreat Center to see what God had in store for them at the annual three day session. His presence was strongly felt from the beginning service throughout the entire meeting. Thursday January 23rd The first service was held in the afternoon with Ohio Promotional Secretary Edwin Hayes giving a welcome to the men. Bro. Greg Harrell, music minister of Heritage FWB in Columbus led the music with Bro. David Crank from the Cornerstone FWB Church in Mansfield playing the keyboard and Bro. Travis McKenzie and Bro. Bryon Justice of the Canaan FWB Church accompanying him. Rev. Chris Oiler, from the Union FWB Church provided the special music. Rev. Del Wallace, pastor of the Forest Valley FWB Church in Springfield brought the message, Believing That He Is from Hebrews 11. In this sermon, Bro. Del showed the importance of having faith in the Lord and that there is a reward for exercising our faith in Him. The message got the retreat off to a good start. Rev. H.B. London After dinner, the men assembled for the second service. Greg Harrell, music minister of Heritage FWB in Columbus led the music. The special singing was provided by Bro. Kevin Justice from North Carolina. Bro. Justice is in charge of the music at the National Association of Free Will Baptists. Focus on the Family Pastor Emeritus H.B. London then preached a message about, Stir Up The Gift of Faith Within You from II Tim. 1:3-9. This message reminded us to not simply live with the status quo but to take responsibility for who we want to become in Christ and to pass our faith on to our children. After the service, Ohio Home Missionary Don Hix and National Home Missionaries, Tom Jones, Nate Altom and Daryl Grimes, gave updates on their works. Also speaking to the men were Rev. Jim McComas who is now representing the National Home Mission Department Rev. Del Wallace Worship Service

2 The men enjoyed recreation after the services! along with Rev. Brad Ransom. Brothers Neil Gilliland and Mark Mc- Peak spoke for the International Mission Department. Later that evening the Ohio Men s Choir under the direction of Bro. Greg Harrell formed and practiced. Throughout the grounds that evening you could witness, fellowship, recreation and music being enjoyed by the men. Men at the altar were found in the services Friday, January 24th The first service on Friday morning, Bro. Rev. David Williford from Welch College gave greetings to the men. Bro. Jimmy Swank from the Canaan FWB sang and Canaan Land Pastor Shawn Beauchamp preached the message, The Family of God which included a family record, resemblance and reunion. The second service that morning began with The Sword Family

3 providing the special music. Rev. H.B. London preached on the subject, "Authority". This message emphasized the authority of Christ and how we should surrender to His authority. Rev. Shawn Beauchamp Attendance Awards The attendance awards were handed out later on Friday afternoon. The first category, Most First Time Attendees we had a tie with the Lebanon Church pastored by Robert Fisher and the Flagship Church pastored by Daryl Grimes. Both brought four first time attendees! The Northridge FWB pastored by Tim Hamilton, the McArthur Church pastored by Jim Henderson, the Canaan Church pastored by Jim McComas and the Union Church pastored by Chris Oiler all came in second place with two first time attendees. In the next category, Highest Percentage of Church Membership Attending the Retreat, we also had a tie with the McArthur FWB Church pastored by Jim Henderson and the Lebanon Church pastored by Robert Fisher both with 26.9% of their churches in attendance. Pastor Jim Henderson and the McArthur FWB Church won the trophy for Highest Percentage of Church Membership Attending the Retreat. The Flagship Church pastored by Daryl Grimes came in second place with 25%. The final category was Most Men in Attendance, was won once again by the Canaan FWB Church pastored by Jim McComas with 40 men in attendance! Second place with 22 men was given to the Unity FWB Church where Eugene Crouch is pastor. Third place went to the Northridge FWB Church pastored by Tim Hamilton with 17 men in attendance. Congratulations to all the churches who worked hard to bring their men and to make the retreat a great success! In the afternoon service the Ohio Men s Choir under the direction of Heritage Music Director Greg Harrell provided the special music. I don t think I have ever heard them sing better! Union Pastor Chris

4 Rev. Jim McComas and the Canaan FWB Church won the trophy for the Most Men Present (40) The Flagship FWB Church & Pastor Daryl Grimes won the trophy for Most First Time Attendees Pastor Robert Fisher and the Lebanon FWB Church won the trophy for Highest Percentage of Church Membership Attending the Retreat and for Most First Time Attendees.

5 Oiler preached the message entitled, "Rejected, Slain and Resurrected" from Luke 9: In the message Bro. Chris encouraged the men to match the example of Jesus in dying to self and living a resurrected life. The men then enjoyed dinner. The Representatives from Canaan FWB in Creston provided a concert before the evening service. During a touching moment in that concert, outgoing Canaan Pastor Jim McComas who has sung with the group for many years, handed off the baton to Bro. Bryon Justice who will be taking his place with the group. They also provided the special music for the service. Rev. H.B then preached a powerful message on, Forgiveness. He exhorted the men to release those who have offended us. He gave us a very personal example from his own life of forgiving his father. Only when we forgive can we live like a well man! Rev. Chris Oiler Ohio Assistant Moderator Tom Dooley dismissed the men to their individual meetings in the dorm rooms. These services are a very special time of sharing and bonding the men enjoy yearly at the retreat. Bro. Edwin Hayes was able to visit the dorm rooms during these services. There was sharing together, singing, preaching and praying in the rooms. It was a great time in the Lord. Saturday, January 25th Saturday morning, National Master s Men Director Ken Akers gave a report and the service opportunities Master s Men offer to FWB men. In the first morning service, well-known Southern Gospel Singer J.B. Spencer sang and Ohio Moderator and Porter FWB Pastor Mark Price preached message, Rise Up O Men of God that reminded us of what true Biblical manhood is. In the last service, Ohio Pastors Tom Dooley from the First Austintown FWB Church Rev. Mark Price and Mike Mounts from Harrison FWB Church provided the special music. Rev. H.B. London came to preach the last message of the retreat. In his message, Path to Growth and Victory. He made Great services were held in the dorm rooms for each church

6 the point that we must have unity in the church and we must being willing to take care of people as our mission. After the message, Brother London had all the pastors come forward and with all the men, we had a special prayer for our pastors. The Lord once again made His presence felt throughout the retreat. We are very appreciative of what the He is doing for our men through this ministry! The dates for the 2015 retreat are, January 22-24th. Mark those dates down and plan to attend! A Special Prayer in the last service for Ohio s Pastors Heartland Retreat Center, Marengo, Ohio