Leaders from Grace Brethren ministries are gathered in Columbus, Ohio, tonight and tomorrow to discuss ways they can collaborate and cooperate. Meeting on the north side of Columbus, the group met first for dinner before hearing an update from Bartley Sawatsky, executive director of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches and pastor of Renew Church, a multi-site Grace Brethren congregation in the greater Toronto area (formerly Grace Community Church).
Sawatsky also gave an update on the Charis International Leadership Alliance, which was held in early November in Bangkok, Thailand. He also took questions about projected steps forward with the Charis Commitment to Common Identity, which was adopted at the meetings. (He, along with Mike Yoder, Keith Minier, and Clancy Cruise, served as delegates from the FGBC at the meetings.)
The evening ended with a time of prayer for the Fellowship.
Tomorrow, the group will hear updates from each ministry, discuss possibilities for restructuring the FGBC office, and consider ways the organizations can better work together in various ministries.