Rev. Lester Kennedy (left), pastor of the Fairlawn Grace Brethren Church in Radford, Virginia, was honored this morning by the Association of Grace Brethren Ministers with the “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the AGBM’s Celebrate06 meeting. His commendation was read by Whitey Willard (right) of the Lititz, PA, Grace Brethren Church, who was mentored as a […]

In addition to the scheduled functions, hundreds of little “ad hoc” meetings are occurring at the Celebrate06 Grace Brethren national conference this week in Palm Springs, California. Gathered here at 7 a.m. today on the patio of the Grand Hyatt Champions, before the heat of the day makes the patio unihabitable, is a little group

Dr. Keith Shearer, pastor of New Beginnings Grace Brethren Church in Myerstown, Pennsylvania, and moderator of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches (FGBC) this past year, addressed the conference in the Monday morning main session. Speaking from Luke 24:13ff, he noted seven observations about the travelers on the Emmaus Road. A variety of workshops were

Grace Brethren International Missions honored a number of missionaries for their years of service at today’s missions luncheon and annual corporation meetings. Here Margie Hull, who just retired after 42 years of missionary service in Africa and Portugal, was honored and Pastor Charles Ashman, right, prayed a dedicatory prayer for Margie. Ashman was pastor to

The perimeter of the Grand Hyatt Convention Center is lined with exhibits and displays from Grace Brethren national organizations, ministry units, and vendors. Here is the BMH Books display, located across from the main registration table. Activities got underway today, Monday, with a “Women in Ministry” breakfast designed to honor women on the staff of

Pastor Tom Hocking of the Bellflower, California, Grace Brethren Church was the main-session speaker this morning at the Grace Brethren annual conference. His assigned topic was “Fire in the Soul: A Beginner’s Guide to Pyrotechnic Worship.” Using a rapier wit and insightful illustrations, Hocking skillfully used The Lord’s Prayer from Scripture to teach truths about

Introduced by his pastor, Keith Shearer from the New Beginnings Grace Brethren Church in Myerstown, Pennsylvania, Kevin Kreider gave a testimony in the 10:30 a.m. session today about the move he and his wife, Lorna, have made to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to church-plant among those who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Gregg Noble is the alto and soprano saxophone player with the worship band, which leads worship music for all the main sessions. Pastor Doug Lee from Fontana, California, is the worship leader this year.

Children checked in early this Sunday morning, got their ID armbands, and were off for a good day’s fun and activities in the Kids Konference, being directed by Tim and Sue Howard of the Simi Valley, CA, Grace Brethren Church. Gail Cosgrove is directing the childcare program for the younger children.