Planning Meetings Taking Place for Momentum Conferences

Some of those attending the Indianapolis meeting: Doug Kegarise, Carmen Franchino, Dave Rank, Mark Artrip and Kirsten James

A group of youth workers met in Indianapolis on October 26 to determine ways that Momentum East and Momentum West youth conferences can complement one another and yet be different. Youth workers gave of their day in order to discuss, pray, and plan for the two events.

Most recently, a group from CE National went to San Diego to meet with youth workers and discuss how Momentum West can be both a conference and a mission trip. Read more about Momentum West and Momentum East...

Ed Lewis Celebrates 35 Years at CE National

Steve Peters, CE National Board President, surprised Ed at the board/staff dinner last Friday night by leading a celebration in honor of Ed serving CE National for 35 years.

CE National is blessed to have Ed as Executive Director for these many years.

New Sign on the CE National Campus

Many Ministry Contacts by the CE National Staff

This last week, four members of the CE National staff traveled to California to make plans for Momentum West in June. Dave Rank, Kirsten James, Carmen Franchino, and Ed Lewis met with area youth workers and made contacts and phone calls. While there, Ed also had the opportunity to share with the Southern California ministerium, meeting at the Los Altos Grace Brethren Church in Long Beach. Ed encouraged the group to be "On Mission" and to use "storyboarding" as a tool for setting direction in a church. Read more...

Pearlington Residents Thank Meyersdale Grace Brethren Church

The Meyersdale Grace Brethren Church put together a donation drive to give two Pearlington, Mississippi, residents some housewarming gifts. Pearlington was one site where Momentum youth conference students built homes.

“We were able to put together everything they would need to do one bathroom and a kitchen,” said Adam Johnson, youth pastor. The church collected home decorations, basic utensils, rugs, towel bars, etc. Adam goes on to say, “This was something that some women in our church put together. Then, one of the men in our church works for UPS and volunteered to box it and ship it.” Altogether six boxes of housewarming gifts were sent to Pearlington.

Kitty and Henrietta, the two residents who received the gifts, were so pleased that they wrote this letter back to the church. Read more...

Cathy's Corner: Resources on Evangelism

Creation Evangelism for the New millennium: Ken Ham
Your Home, A Lighthouse. Hosting an Evangelistic Bible Study: Bob and Betty Jacks
The Art of Personal Evangelism. Sharing Jesus in a Changing Culture:. Will McRaney Jr.
The 7 Principles of an Evangelistic Life: Doug M. Cecil

Urban Hope Sponsor for the Week

Mr. and Mrs. O

This week Ed Lewis is sponsoring Urban Hope in memory of Walter and Pearl Olszewski, whose wedding anniversary would have been November 24. Mr. and Mrs. O, as they were affectionately called, were faithful volunteers at CE National and other local organizations.

Before moving to Winona Lake, the Olszewskis lived in the area where the Urban Hope Training Center now has ministries. Mr. and Mrs. O, parents of Pastor Bud Olszewski, Ritman, Ohio, were faithful at serving the staff of CE National by being daily volunteers who picked up the mail and did many needed tasks.

Steve Peters, CE National Board President, honoring Mr. O a few years ago by saying, "There's snail mail, there's E-mail, and now there's O-mail," referencing Mr. O's faithful delivery of mail between Grace Brethren national organizations in Winona Lake.

Find out more about sponsoring a week at Urban Hope by visiting the Urban Hope Website.

Board of Directors Encouraged By Direction of CE National

The CE National Board of Directors

God has blessed CE National with a group of people who support the CE National ministries by serving on the National Board of Directors. Twice a year, these godly leaders meet together to set policies, affirm direction, pray, and consult how CE National can remain impactful as they serve in the area of Church Effectiveness.

The meetings included budget approval, and the board is praising the Lord that CE National has once again finished the fiscal year in the black! CE National has endorsed the ministry of Convoy of Hope and encourages partnering with them in such areas as outreach, disaster relief, humanitarian interests, and "One Day to Feed the World."

Positive reports on such ministries as Urban Hope, the 412 Commission, Operation Barnabas, Momentum, The National Institute, the Lending Library, and CE National cabinets all are cause for rejoicing.

The board approved a new Masterplan which starts this month and will end in November of 2008. Each year the directors set goals relating to seven objectives in the Masterplan, which includes new initiatives that will be taking place over the next year. The CE Board is encouraged with the direction in which the organization is moving.

TNI to Encourage Grace Community Church, Church Plant

The National Institute class, Evangelism and Discipleship, is having a field trip this Saturday to South Bend, Indiana. They are helping and encouraging Grace Community Church’s (Goshen, Indiana) church plant. Please pray for safety in travel. Pray also that the students’ hearts would be sensitive to the Lord’s leading during their interaction with the community.