The Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches holds annual regional focus retreats where pastors and elders can get together and encourage each other and build relationship.  The Northwest Focus Retreat is just the Northwest District, so most everybody knows each other… except us.

This was the first retreat where we as Community of Hope’s leadership board attended.  Not the whole board mind you – I think it mostly had to do with availability.  Myself, Gord, Ken, Jason and Philip left immediately after church to drive down to the Clear Lake Bible Camp near White Pass, WA.

Jason was going down to finish up his Licensure review.  You may ask, “What is licensure?”  It is the process of a church organization authorizing you to marry and stuff.  It is also the first step towards ordination, or the recognition and commissioning you as a shepherd of a church.  Jason had already been licensed in the church he was at before but he was asked to be licensed by the Grace Brethren.  It is a two stage process – first they give you a long written test that basically covers a ton of theology.  Then they have an oral review where a board of other pastors asks you questions based on what they consider your weakest written areas.

Part of the reason Ken and Gord and I went was because we are going to be seeking licensure soon and it would give us an opportunity to see what the oral reviews were like.  The other part was it was a great opportunity to get to know the other guys in the district.

So we drove down Sunday afternoon.  Monday all day was a teaching session led by John McIntosh, the lead pastor of Simi Valley Grace Brethren church – a pretty big and pretty successful church.  He is also this year’s moderator of the FGBC.  He was a fantastic, gentle, challenging speaker.  I was very blessed by our study of 2nd Timothy.

Other blessings: spending a little time talking with Greg Howell, pastor of Goldendale Grace Brethren.  What an encouraging man.  Greg Stamm, talking a little about his son and hearing his enthusiastic support for our work in Canada.  Scott Avey, and his heart for the Brethren and seeking where God would have him next.  Hiller Payne, my new friend from Mukilteo, who I will not allow to forget his offer of gumbo!

Can’t wait for the next retreat with these gentlemen!