First Regional Conference of 2011 Held in Ontario, CA

GCI pastors, ministry leaders, and members gathered in Ontario, California from Friday, Feb. 25, through Sunday, Feb. 27, for meetings with the theme of “On Mission With God.”

The meetings began on Thursday for district pastoral leaders, who discussed administrative and stewardship issues with Dan Rogers, superintendent of U.S. ministers. On Friday morning, Steve Elliott, who planted churches in the Evangelical Free Church of America and is now the president of Church Assistance Ministry, gave an interactive presentation on church planting opportunities and strategies.

On Friday afternoon, pastors met with their district pastoral leader to discuss developments in their districts, and ways in which congregations might work together to help start new churches. At 5 p.m., Mike Feazell, GCI Vice-President, discussed how evangelism fits into Trinitarian theology.

After a meal and a praise and worship session led by Higher Ground, Joseph Tkach spoke on “Where We’ve Been and Where We Are!” He noted how we have changed (doctrinally and administratively), how generations have changed, and how GCI churches are now active in serving others and celebrating what God is doing in our midst.

On Saturday morning, Dan Rogers addressed two questions: 1) What is God’s mission? 2) How is GCI participating in that mission and equipping people for this journey with Jesus? Then conference attendees broke into smaller groups to attend one of three workshop tracks, each with four segments:

1. Making Disciples, led by Ministry Development team leader Ted Johnston, assisted in Ontario by leaders from southern California churches. Anne Stapleton, from San Diego, spoke on “Nurturing Believers”; Bermie Dizon, from Pasadena, spoke on “Equipping Workers”; and Heber Ticas, of San Fernando, spoke on “Seeking the Lost.”
2. Church Planting, led by Steve Elliott. He spoke on why church planting is needed, on values held by multiplying churches, on the ways that other churches can help, and support systems that help new churches thrive.
3. Growing GCI Leaders, led by Greg Williams, director of GCI Generations Ministries. He spoke on the foundations of leadership, a nurturing leadership environment, and how GCI churches can nurture emerging leaders. Mark Stapleton, GCI pastor in San Diego, spoke on leadership in the postmodern era.

After lunch on Saturday, everyone met together again to listen to Steve Elliott as he showed examples of church planting in the early church. Then the workshops resumed – attendees could either continue the track they had begun, or switch to another. In total, there were 12 workshop sessions, and attendees could choose which eight of them to attend. They could complete two series, or sample some from all three. In the evening, Mike Feazell conducted a doctrinal Q&A session.

Sunday morning began with the final two workshop sessions, followed by a worship service with praise, a sermon message, communion, and an offering. Dr. Rogers spoke on “Ministry and Mission in the Spirit,” with examples from the first half of the book of Acts.