Twenty-five leaders from the Council of Eighteen and the GARBC administrative staff met November 12-14 to work on proactive endeavors to assist the Association’s ministry to churches. During the meetings at the GARBC Resource Center in Schaumburg, Illinois, the committees of Conference Planning, Finance, Personnel, Policy, Recruitment and Retention, Church Assistance, Resolutions, Youth, Chaplaincy, International Ministries, and Publications accomplished much work and future planning. Thrilling reports of God’s working through their ministries were given by John Greening, national representative; Jim Vogel, associate national representative; Michael Nolan, director of operations; Chris Hindal, director of international ministries; and John Murdoch, director of chaplaincy services. The tenor of the sessions was upbeat and forward looking.
The Council considered two major initiatives related to church planting and perpetuating involvement in the Association. The desire to pursue the goal of multiplying churches in the GARBC through church planting was affirmed by all leaders. Council members and the administrative staff committed to praying daily, asking God to stir a grassroots movement of church planting within our Fellowship. Planning is under way to promote this Biblical imperative.
Another important initiative that was addressed in an extended Council session involved younger pastors in our Fellowship. 
Associate Pastor Scott Greening, who has a burden for this issue as a younger pastor himself, was asked to attend the meetings and share his perspective. His presentation included a proposed strategy to reach out to younger pastors and incorporate them proactively into Association activities both locally and nationally. Following a time of discussion, the Council took unanimous action to pursue this effort as part of our ongoing commitment to recruit and retain churches and their pastors in the Fellowship. Jim Vogel will be working with Scott and other pastors in the coming months to implement specific plans in the area of this strategic initiative.
Council members returned to their individual ministries with a deep commitment to our Fellowship and the motivation to see great things happen by God’s enablement.
