IPHC Ephesians 4 Network Conference Report
July 15-17, 2010
Columbus, Ohio
Bishop Doug Beacham Presiding
The second formal quadrennial conference of Ephesians 4 Network was held Thursday-Saturday in Columbus, Ohio in mid-July. This significant event marked the ninth year of this conference that includes West Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Established through the leadership of Tony Akinson in conjunction with EVUSA, the Appalachian Conference, North Central Latin, and the former Great Lakes Conference, E4N has grown and matured into a strong IPHC presence in this vital part of the United States.
This was my third time to preside over E4N and it was evident that in every phase the conference has moved from being a start-up to a fully functional conference impacting this region and beyond.
I saw this clearly at the Thursday night Global Outreach Rally/Dinner with over 70 people present. CMD Gene Kennett and Bishop Brad Reynolds had an excellent program and at the close of the meeting more than $40,000 was pledged for Global Outreach this year! Everyone was thrilled by this figure as the churches and pastors took hold of the vision of impacting the world and USA for Christ. This was more than double that has ever been pledged in the history of E4N.
Friday was a day of special training as Brazilian pastor Abe Huber taught and ministered on discipleship. One of the founders and leaders of The Church of Peace in Brazil, Brother Huber has family and ministry connections with Rev. and Mrs. Aaron Helland, pastors of IPHC in Chicago area. Huber's intentional discipleship methods are some of the best I have ever seen and really provide a focus for establishing strong Christians personally and corporately.
On Saturday the conference was held and all the conference officials were re-elected or elected by acclamation:
Superintendent: Bishop Brad Reynolds
Assistant Superintendent: Mike Brewer
Secretary: Gene Kennett
Treasurer: Mike Brewer
Board Members: Macario Bernal, Steve Hickerson, Butch Deer, and Charlie Sammons.
Rev. Jesus Rocha was recognized for his church planting efforts among the Hispanic community. This recognition as he retires was a highlight of the conference. Rev. Gary Saler decided not to be considered again for conference office and was recognized for his years of faithful service. Previously he has served on the E4N Executive Board as Secretary and as a Pastoral Care Director.
In his State of the Conference. Bishop Reynolds showed that the conference has grown from over 20 churches in 2001, to over 60 in 2005, and to nearly 70 at this time. In liquid and real assets, the conference has grown from $50,000 in 2006 to $750,000 today.
The E4N Bible Training Center program has over 100 students and is one of the most effective live-internet based programs in IPHC.
Three ministers were ordained for the first time in this session and six were accepted as ordained transfers.
Mr. Johnny Upton from IPHC Extension Loan was on hand with a booth and made an excellent presentation regarding the benefits of investing and borrowing from Extension Loan.
Steve and Lori Ward from Redemption World Outreach Center in Greenville, SC provided the worship music for the conference. They had several other outstanding young musicians and worship team members with them.
I mentioned several times to Bishop Reynolds the sense of excitement and maturity that is evident among the ministers and people of the conference. IPHC can be thankful that the Lord is establishing a strong foothold in this vital part of the country and we will continue to see great growth because of the solid foundation that has been built.
Dr. Doug Beacham
Executive Director
World Missions Ministries
P.O. Box 12609
Oklahoma City, OK 73157 USA
405 787 7110
wmm.iphc.org
Posted on
Mon, August 16, 2010
by Hugh Morgan