Dear Lord,
We lift up our pastors to You in prayer, that You may bless them with wisdom, direction, Your presence and unconditional love. Please look after their physical and spiritual health as they shepherd Your people. Thank you for their countless hours of service to You in love and humility and being a blessing to those touched by their lives.
Amen.
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“Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”
1 Peter 5:2-4
As much as I love a good western movie for entertainment, the cowboy is not the biblical hero I emulate. As you are well aware, we who answer the calling of God for leadership are to emulate the shepherd.
The qualities of the shepherd are quite significant for us. Rather than being known as a loner, the shepherd is never isolated from the flock. The shepherd spends time with the sheep. So much time is spent together that the sheep know the voice of the shepherd. Unlike the cowboy, the shepherd is not seeking to eat the sheep, but protect the sheep from predators that WOULD eat the sheep. As the sheep grow healthy, there is an exchange of benefits as the shepherd profits from the wool gathered---but it is a replenishable offering. And as a cowboy drives the cattle forward on a cattle drive ultimately where the cattle do not want to go, the Shepherd leads the sheep from the front to where they do want to go for sustenance and shelter.
I am thankful for the shepherds in Gateway. You all matter to God, your people and to the Free Methodist Church.
On the Adventure with you,
Supt. Ben
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Card Shower for former Superintendent Robert L. Smith's Birthday |
It’s our pleasure to let you know that Pastor Bob Smith, long-time Central Illinois Conference Superintendent and long-time pastor at Moundford FM will be celebrating his 90th birthday on November 12, 2021. He so cherishes the time he spent faithfully serving in Greenville and Decatur as well as in retirement years prior to moving to Sycamore, IL a few years ago.
We are asking if anyone who knows him and was ministered to through him over the years can send their 90th birthday greetings to him either via mail or email:
As his entire ministry was spent in what was the Central Illinois Conference, he would be thrilled and fulfilled to hear from as many folks there as would like to reach out at this special time.
Thank you!
The family of Bob Smith
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Ivan Filby Helps People Minister in the Spirit's Power
Filby has taught about the Holy Spirit on five continents, and he hopes to help more people operate in the Spirit’s power through his book that was released in September by Seedbed.
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Pre-order the 2021 Yearbook
Yearbook 2021 Spiral Bound
Free Methodist Church - USA Yearbook 2021
A resource with the personnel, organization, and statistics of the Free Methodist Church - USA.
Perfect bound for $15.95 each - Click here to pre-order.
Spiral bound for $19.95 each - Click here to pre-order.
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Car Mission Fund for Supt. Mekebib |
Men's Ministries International is raising $50,000 for a vitaly important FMCUSA ministry endeavor in Ethiopia.
We will purchase a Toyota Land Cruiser for Superintendent Mekebib Desta of Ethiopia.
Supt. Mekebib has labored courageously for the Good News of Christ without reliable transportation as testified to by former and present FMCUSA Bishops. Purchasing a vehicle is nearly impossible for an Ethiopian due to the 100% tax that the Ethiopian Government places on the purchase of vehicles. Despite this hardship, Superintendent Mekebib travels hundreds of miles each month by unreliable public transportation, beasts of burden or by foot for the purpose of discipling the pastors and overseeing the churches.
The kingdom work in Ethiopia needs our support now. Together, we can ensure the proclamation of the Gospel and Holiness message for years to come!
Please consider giving a gift today!
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FMYC 2022 is happening! We’ll gather on the campus of Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colorado June 27-July 1, 2022.
FMYC (Free Methodist Youth Conference) is a week-long event designed for your high school students. (Bringing Middle School students is up to the discretion of the Youth Worker. But again – please know that the event is programmed with high school students in mind.)
The Scriptures tell us that followers of Jesus are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…” (1 Peter 2:9). We are Marked. Our identity is in Jesus. This next Summer we’ll spend a week together in Colorado, looking at what this means! Early bird registration rates are available through 2021. Click here for more information and promotional material.
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September through Holy Week-Freedom Sunday
October is Pastor Appreciation Month
December 4-Gateway Christmas Luncheon, Young Lodge, Durley Camp & Retreat Center
Looking ahead to 2022:
February 19-Safety Training with Ed Sanow-Greenville FMC
March 9- “WELL2022” is a Free Methodist Women event on the day before and
March 10-12-Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy-E2022 [HER]STORY
Grapevine, Texas
March 5-Gateway Leadership Summit
FMYC-June 27-July 1
Colorado State University
Looking ahead to 2023:
Gateway Conference Leadership Summit
April 15, 2023
FMCUSA General Conference, July 24-28
Hilton Orlando, FL
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The Gateway Conference Office exists to energize and equip pastors and lay leaders to M.O.V.E.:
Mission Assessment
Organize Data
Visioneer A New Future
Engage The Plan
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Gateway Conference - FMCUSA
1501 Chicago Drive, Greenville, IL 62246
618.664.2353
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