Michigan District Conference focuses on new mission opportunities.

Michigan District Conference on Aug. 10-13 was led by moderator Mary Gault on the theme, "Where There Is Love" (Romans 13:8-10). About 220 people registered for all or part of the conference in Hastings, Mich., reported district executive minister Marie Willoughby. In business sessions, some 70 delegates attended representing all 20 congregations in the district.

The conference opened with love feast, and Stephen Breck Reid, academic dean of Bethany Theological Seminary, was the speaker for worship throughout the rest of the weekend. The youth used the experience of National Youth Conference to lead an evening worship. The conference also included a concert by "Middletree," a group from New Life Christian Fellowship Church of the Brethren in Mount Pleasant, Mich.

Excitement centered on two new mission opportunities, Willoughby reported. "In January 2007 the New Life Christian Fellowship is opening a new church plant in the Saginaw Valley area, and invited everyone to become prayer partners in this vision and venture," she said. The district board gave New Life permission to contact district congregations for further support.

In a second venture at the urging of the Commission of Stewards, "a plan is beginning to see how the district can arrange for the New Harvest Christian Center, a Church of God in Christ, to more reasonably purchase the former Battle Creek building in which they are currently worshiping," Willoughby said. New Harvest pastor Ivan Lee made a personal visit to the conference, which discussed considering it a "mission" to find ways to assist the young congregation. No action was taken on the matter by the conference. New Harvest Christian Center has an average attendance of over 100, growing from just a handful a few months ago; 60 percent of attendees are children.

Delegates also approved a 2007 district budget of $89,750 and a camp budget of $71,650. A query on "Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect" was approved and will be passed on to Standing Committee, a committee of district delegates to the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference.

Insight sessions included one concerning the query, one led by the district's Multicultural Task Force, and an experience of the denominational study process "Together: Conversations on Being the Church."

Debbie Eisenbise, pastor at Skyridge Church of the Brethren in Kalamazoo, Mich., was chosen as moderator-elect. Lee Hannahs of Beaverton, Mich., was installed as moderator for 2007. Five new members were elected to the District Board including Mary Gault as chair. Frances Townsend, pastor of Onekama (Mich.) Church of the Brethren, was chosen as district representative to the General Board for 2007-2012.

Guests included Annual Conference moderator Belita Mitchell and her husband, Don Mitchell, who directed an impromptu choir during the Saturday evening Hymn Sing.

Source: 9/13/2006 Newsline