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Northeast Fellowship Approves Leadership Transition Plan

By November 7, 2019February 5th, 2020No Comments

Members of Northeast Fellowship churches attend the association’s Fall Conference in Preble, N.Y.

PREBLE, N.Y.—The Northeast Fellowship met for its Fall Conference at Calvary Baptist Church Oct. 21–22. Each year the association holds a conference in the spring and fall for members of its churches. The Fall Conference focuses on Bible teaching, while the Spring Conference emphasizes local church ministry. “Our goal is to promote learning, mutual edification, and spiritual growth that will glorify God, as well as provide tools that will encourage local churches,” says Jim Vogel, executive director of the Northeast Fellowship.

“Encouragement is a major goal in the Northeast Fellowship conferences,” says Brian King, associate director of the Northeast Fellowship. That encouragement began with a preconference luncheon for pastors and their wives with speakers Don Shirk, pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Batavia, New York, and Jeannie Vogel, wife of Jim Vogel.

Mike Stallard spoke during the opening session of the conference, skillfully tackling the theme “Dispensationalism: The Difference It Makes.” Mike is director of International Ministries for Friends of Israel and general editor of Dispensational Understanding of the New Covenant.

The next day, Jason McGuire, executive director of New Yorker’s Family Research Foundation and its affiliated organization, New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms, led a morning session on key issues in New York legislation and ways Christians can impact elected officials.

After a break for refreshments and fellowship, attendees regrouped for a business session, during which Jim Vogel made a much-anticipated announcement. One year ago, the Northeast Fellowship launched the concept of dual leadership, with Brian King becoming associate director. This concept involved a succession plan, with Brian and Jim slated to later swap roles. At the conference, the churches voted unanimously in favor of this plan.

“Brian King and I will switch roles in mid-2020,” Jim Vogel says. “At that time, I will move into a part-time mentoring and consulting role and assist him in leadership as he becomes the new executive director of our Network. We are thankful to God for His leading and provision.”

Jim continues, “We are so thankful for the Kings’ commitment and service to the fellowship already and look forward to Brian’s capable leadership in the future.”