Northwest members

Northwest members,
ministers meet
in Portland, Oregon

By Dee Bulante
Olympia and Port Orchard, Washington, pastor

PORTLAND, Oregon—Two hundred thirty-one attendees representing 30 churches in six states and Calgary, Canada, participated in the Northwest regional conference, April 30 to May 2, at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Portland.

Participants spent time assessing the disciplemaking environment in their

Guy and Penny Engelbart

congregations, and shared ideas in improving worship, discipleship, prayer and fellowship. Local church programs were examined in detail and evaluated.

Pastor General Joseph Tkach encouraged attendees by emphasizing the Worldwide in Worldwide Church of God. Dr. Tkach chronicled the growing work of our denomination worldwide through a pictorial presentation. He also presented the many benefits of being part of a denomination.

The Northwest pastors honored former district superintendent, Guy Engelbart, with a surprise retirement gift—a 36-inch flat-screen color television.

RETIREMENT—Northwest pastors present Guy and Penny Engelbart with a retirement gift [Photos by Dave Erbes]

Participants had several choices of breakout sessions, from Enhancing the Worship Service to Developing Youth Ministry. Mark Vincent of Design for Ministries presented a session titled “Money, Success, Happiness—and God?” The conference ended with an inspiring communion service.

Here are some comments about the conference:

Ken Williams, district superintendent: “Joseph Tkach’s presentation helped all of us see how the Holy Spirit is working mightily all around the globe in making disciples for Christ.

“It is evident to me that we are a completely different Worldwide Church of God from what we were 10 years ago. We are not perfect, but we are definitely making spiritual progress, and I love it.

“Dr. Tkach’s message was simple. People need a church family, and thanks to

From left: Tommy Erbes, Ted Stone and Allan Hablutzel.

God’s grace the WCG is a great one to be part of. Dan Rogers’ exhortation to encourage members to make friends with sinners so we can share the gospel was simple, but likely one of the most effective things we can do to make disciples for Jesus.

“I’m grateful that so many pastors and pastoral teams were at this year’s conference to hear these encouraging and useful messages.”

Guy Engelbart, retired district superintendent: “One area that impressed me with Dan Rogers’ presentations was the need to pray for the lost, become friends of sinners and be a ‘halfway house’ to those who are coming to Christ.”

Bart Baril, Gig Harbor, Washington: “This conference was both confirming and affirming. Grace Community Fellowship [the Port Orchard, Washington, church] has already begun a journey down a path God has shown us, and this weekend served as a huge road-marker along the way. I would compare this weekend to landing lights at an airport, unmistakable in both message and direction.

“This weekend not only confirmed that we are on the right track, but it gave us a road map for the future. We as a church knew our mission, and this weekend helped solidify our vision.”

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