Kurt Miller, right, was recognized as Pastor of the Year at the Association of Grace Brethren Ministers meeting on Sunday. Jim Brown, right, presented the award.
Three men with long histories in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches were recognized Sunday by the Association of Grace Brethren Ministers as Margins|2016, the national conference of the FGBC, continued in Toronto, Ontario.
Kurt Miller, pastor and church planter, was recognized as Pastor of the Year. He currently helps lead Crossroads Community Church in the Holmesburg neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pa., and serves as director of strategic partnerships for MetroGrace, a church planting ministry in Philadelphia.
Dr. Ron Manahan received the Excellence in Ministry Award. Now the senior advisor to the president of Grace College and Seminary, he served the college for many years, first as a professor and then as president. Jeff Gill, dean of the seminary, made the presentation.
The late Wayne Beaver was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Beaver, who died on April 6, 2106, was an innovative missionary in the Central African Republic before returning to the states to lead the missions program at Grace Theological Seminary. Jim Hocking, who himself has served in the Central African Republic throughout his career, made the presentation.
The second full day of the conference included challenges from Florent Varak and Paul Klawitter to think globally and act locally as they discussed ministry in the margins of post-Christendom. Mike Yoder, pastor of Polaris Grace Church, Columbus, Ohio, shared about the hyrax from Proverbs 30, while Louise Klawitter, looked at the stealthy lizard, also from Proverbs 30.
Five new churches that are set to join the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches were recognized and will receive a good will gift from the Grace Brethren Investment Foundation. Other new congregations and campus adoptions were also highlighted.
The day started with breakfast and the corporation meeting of the Brethren Missionary Herald Co., parent organization of GraceConnect and BMH Books. Lunch was hosted by the Association of Grace Brethren Ministers. Dinner was sponsored by the Grace Brethren Investment during which the Eagle Commission and Grace Brethren military chaplains were recognized.
The FGBC conference is being held at the the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel,