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| Sheryl Fleisher |
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| Dennis Gingerich |
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| Gamaliel Aguado |
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| Mulugeta Zewdie |
August 31, 2005
The problem of loneliness faced
by many people in the U.S. and beyond will be one of the topics addressed
during a September 16-18 conference at Hesston College. The conference,
titled Toward Authentic Christ-Centered Community, will focus on how
transformation is taking place in small groups and other forms of
community. It will provide church pastors and leaders with resources
for a well-managed small group ministry.
According to Palmer Becker, conference
coordinator and director of the college's Pastoral Ministries program,
"community is breaking down all around us, even in our families
and churches. It's not like it used to be. This conference will provide
tools that churches can use to work at community through small groups
for people who are looking for fellowship, encouragement, support,
and spiritual growth."
Becker says authentic community
as experienced in many small groups is key to the life and renewal
of the church. "The current small-group movement that has gone
worldwide is probably the best thing that has happened to the church
since the Reformation," he said.
Becker said the conference will
include four main addresses by well-known church leaders involved
in small groups, 30 workshops, and two practicums where everyone participates
in a small group. "We'll also have long break times for people
to experience community with each other," he said.
Becker is particularly excited
about the four main speakers.
Sheryl Fleisher has trained small
group leaders for seven years at Willow Creek Community Church. "That
church is the flagship of churches that use small groups for both
nurture and growth," Becker said. Fleisher has served as associate
pastor of the church located in North Barrington, Ill., a Chicago
suburb.
Dennis Gingerich is the founding
pastor of Cape Christian Fellowship in Cape Coral, Fla. "The
congregation arose out of small groups that were formed initially
and now has 900 members," Becker said.
Gamaliel Aguado has training and
experience in support groups which provide healing for people suffering
from a variety of addictions and brokenness. "He has formed and
given guidance and vision to at least 10 different kinds of support
groups," Becker said. "He is widely known in the Chicago
area, having led workshops at Willow Creek and dozens of other churches."
Aguado is associate pastor of Vida Abundante (Abundant Life) Church
in suburban Chicago.
Mulugeta Zewdie, general secretary
of the Meserete Kristos Church in Ethiopia, will speak during a celebration
banquet Saturday evening, Sept. 17. "He will tell how the church
grew from 5,000 to 55,000, then to 120,000," Becker said.
Meanwhile, Becker said Dudley
Goss from Purpose Driven Church in Lake Forest, Calif., will also
be present. "He will assist those congregations that would like
to enroll in '40 Days of Purpose' or '40 Days of Community' campaigns."
The conference is the ninth in
the popular Anabaptist Vision and Discipleship Series sponsored by
Hesston College's Bible and Ministry Center.
Rates for the conference will
be discounted if three or more people attend from the same congregation.
For more information, or to register
for the conference, call 620-327-8290. Or register on-line by visiting
the Bible and Ministry
page on the college's website.