Sunday Morning Recap

The Sunday schedule for the Church Leaders Conference was a bit different from the previous days. Following breakfast most of the group gathered on the patio of the hotel for a photo, taken by Kevin Austin. Immediately following the photo session each person participated in one of three different workshops.

Bishop David Roller led a workshop for all pastors and ministerial candidates.

Al Mellinger led a workshop on SonLife discipleship strategies.

Larry Winckles and Gerard McNamara led a workshop called "An Introduction to the Free Methodist Church" for people who were new to the denomination.

The highlight of the conference was the ordination service that followed. Most of our ordained elders in Europe took part in the ceremony. Michael Long opened with the Call to Worship and the Collect. Larry Winckles presented the candidates for ordination to Bishop Roller. Gerard McNamara, Cindi Angelo, and Ralph Locke read from the Scriptures.

Ordinands Lawrence Abagnaba and Jackie Barbier each gave their testimony, and thanked their mentors who helped them along the way, including Lucien Behar, Todd Miller, Marcie Huson, Dick Dickinson, Jerry Coleman, and Larry Winckles.

A special offering was taken to support Kali Long's work on the streets of Athens, Greece. Kevin Austin of the Set Free Movement has been serving as an advocate for Kali and the work among those who have been trafficked. Approximately 350 euros were raised for her support.

Bishop Roller introduced the new Regional Supervisors for the work of the Free Methodist Church in Europe. Mitch Pierce will supervise the northern tier countries (France, Belgium, Slovakia, Hungary, and Ukraine) and Keith Cowart will supervise the southern tier countries (Greece, Spain, and Portugal). David Carr will supervise Bulgaria.

Bishop Roller then preached a sermon based on I Kings 19 and the story of Elijah, Jezebel, and the prophets of Baal.

The ordinands were then called forward, along with their wives. Asking the questions of the ordinands were Bishop Roller, Mitch Pierce, Keith Cowart, and Simeon Rutazihana. All of the elders present then gathered for prayer around Lawrence and Jackie and their wives.

Bishop Roller charged each man to take authority in ministry and to rightly handle the Word of God. Following the ordination they were presented with their parchments and congratulated by all present.

Eduardo Angelo gave the benediction.

Jackie and Lawrence work together in and around Oostende, Belgium with a wide variety of nationalities -- Filipino, Latino, African, and Belgian to name a few. These men work more than full time at secular jobs and have family responsibilities, yet they are selflessly dedicated to shepherding the flock that God has given them in Belgium, without pay. We pray that they will be strengthened for ministry and that all of their needs will be supplied.