Oregon Ministry Network

Connection Broadcast



			Exodus 24:12 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and be there . . .” God met us in a powerful way at the 2008 Summit in Portland last week. A big thanks to everyone who participated and contributed. This year's Conference was a historic gathering with a number of changes and announcements. Business was efficiently done in less that 1 hour and 15 minutes, giving us time for prayer, 2 plenary sessions, 24 learning labs and lots of family fellowship. Zollie Smith reminded us that “God has one more move” and Dennis Blevins helped us better understand the steps to being healthy leaders. It will go down as a highlight of the year for me. I thank our Network Team, Pastors Ray and Linda Noah, the fine people of Portland Christian Center, and those who participated. I also want to express gratitude to Julie Sies and Courtney Banister of We Care Oregon who assisted our office staff in facilitating this year's event, they were a tremendous help. I recommend We Care Oregon if you need help in planning a special event of any kind. They are one of our ministry partners.


			In my “State of the Network” message, I called each Church and ministry to 8 Initiatives for 2008. 1. Carefully re-evaluate your church’s or ministry’s methods and effectiveness. Identify the 5 things you are doing well. Identify the 5 things you need to grow in the coming year. 2. Conduct a regular weekly or monthly “prayer” or “pursuit” gathering. Provide time for the Church Family to pray and wait upon the Lord. Pray for your Community. 3. Establish a scholarship fund for qualified and called students for ministry. Look for called and gifted young people in your church and encourage them to train for ministry. 4. Adopt a local school in your community for care and prayer. Provide a work day at that school. Partner with the school in a community project. 5. Launch a morning Bible study for men in your community at a local coffee shop. Get outside the walls of the church and begin to meet with un-churched men to study the Bible. 6. Develop a discipleship training for new believers in your church.Get your believers grounded in the fundamentals of the faith. 7. Establish an accountability partner that will meet with you monthly.Keep encouraged and sharpened by meeting with 1 or 2 trusted friends who can keep you sharp. 8. Commit your church to investing in the network by monthly support. Faithfully support the Network Ministry, so that it can function more effectively and efficiently.


			HISTORIC ANNOUNCEMENT On the opening night President Carley Kendrick of Salem Bible College and President Joseph Castleberry of Northwest University made the announcement that Salem Bible College was going to merge with Northwest University. This big news is a win-win for both of our schools. I welcome this partnership and believe this is going to be a real plus for the Oregon Ministry Network in the years to come. I encourage you to promote these schools in your churches.

			The Summit concluded with my message When God Speaks Your Name and a moving Ordination Service. I felt God met us! Looking forward to our next time together! Pastor Bill Wilson