The 40th Annual Equipping the Saints, sponsored by the Bluebonnet Conference of ELCA Congregations, will be Feb. 3.
The all-day event, hosted by St. Mark鈥檚 Lutheran Church, 400 N. Esplanade, Cuero, will have the theme 鈥淐elebrating the Past, Understanding the Present and Preparing for the Future.鈥
Equipping the Saints is known for its many workshops that provide important insights and Biblically-based practical tools to equip persons to do congregational and community ministry and mission. There will be opportunities for personal and spiritual growth, table fellowship (catered meal) with people of area congregations, child care for young children of attendees, and the experience of worship as the body of Christ, according to a news release from the Rev. Herb Beyer, ETS chairman.
Speakers and workshop leaders include Bishop Sue Briner, Southwestern Texas Synod, ELCA; Pastor Patrick Melton, a United Methodist Church in the Hallettsville area, and who has organized and led mission trips both local and abroad; Rev. Dr. Norm Beck, Professor of Theology and Classical Languages at Texas Lutheran University; Lane Johnson, Chief Clinical Officer at Gulf Bend, a Licensed Professional Council and Life Coach; Elaine Thomas, an award winning non-fiction writer with a long public relations career; Mike Garcia, one of the founders of Iglesia Luterana San Lucas in Eagle Pass; Amerika Garcia Grewal, director of Business Development Interactive Transitions and knowledgeable about the border situation and changing demographics in Texas; Levi Montgomery, educator, athletic director and head football coach for Hallettsville school district, and served in U.S. Army in Bosnia in the 1990s; Pastor Sharon Wiggins who has traveled to Saudi Arabia, Palestine and Israel and been involved with the Christian Peacemakers; Pastor Jonathan Mollenkopf, once a professional musician with more than three decades experience with piano and organ, and an ordained ELCA pastor serving in Nordheim; Dr. Maurice Wilkinson, family practitioner and chief of staff for Lavaca Medical Center; Rev. Dr. Larry Green, pastor serving God鈥檚 Church, 足交视频 and Goliad Country Fellowship, Goliad, and chaplain with Hospice of South Texas; Deacon Leo Sharron, chaplain and bereavement counselor/coordinator for Hospice of South Texas; Christine Brown, financial advisor and certified exit planning advisor with Edward Jones; and Rebecca Guengerich, educator and spiritual director, and serves on the leadership for rostered and lay leaders in the Southwestern Texas Synod; and Beyer, lead pastor for the Tri-County Cooperative Ministries serving Lavaca, Fayette and Colorado counties.
While the event is sponsored by ELCA (Lutheran) congregations of a 10-county area, it is open to people of all denominations. Attendees must register beforehand.
鈥淥ur world, the culture and people are rapidly changing. There are those who readily embrace developing technology, others overwhelmed about the developments, and others who worry about our dependence and its dangers. How can we lift up the importance of developing and strengthening our relationship with God, one another, and our neighbor in need?鈥 Beyer said in the news release.
People can register in any of the following ways: Materials are available through area ELCA congregations; by email, stmarkscuero@stmarkscuero.com, by phone, 361-275-2845, church office; fax, 361-275-6726; website: ; or contact Beyer, 361-798-0155 or beyerfam55@gmail.com.
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