You might find better deals by visiting www.hotels.com, but here are a few hotel options near Grace Church:
Hawthorn Suites (3.9 miles)
6101 Trust Drive, Holland, OH
(419) 867-9555
Studio suites – king bed and full kitchen. $79 + tax
Red Roof Inn (2.0 miles)
3530 Executive Parkway, Toledo, OH
(419) 536-0118
King room (larger room with fridge & microwave) = $59.99
Standard King = $49.99
Ramada Inn (2.1 miles) (formerly Clarion Westgate)
3536 Secor Road, Toledo, OH
(419) 535-7070
King room (or 2 double beds) = $99
Comfort Inn (2.2 miles)
3560 Secor Rd.
Toledo, OH 43606
(419) 531-2666
King room = $69 weekdays, $75 weekends
We're getting ready for a wonderful conference this year, and hope you'll be part of it! Our theme centers around the concept of transformation, change, growth and development in a believer's life. Our own Scott Pursley, pastor of Lamb of God Fellowship in New Jersey, will lead our plenary sessions, basing his teaching on the book "How People Change" (by Timothy Lane and Paul Tripp). In my 35 years of pastoring, this is the best book I've read on the subject of personal transformation, and Scott is passionate on the topic.
We have some fantastic workshops lined up as well. Whether you're interested in learning about Neo-Paganism, Creativity, Family Life topics or some of the nuts and bolts of preaching and teaching, you'll find it all here.
Beyond the teaching topics, however, this conference is a critical time to come together corporately to re-focus, encourage and enjoy one another, and to worship and pray together.
It's easy to find financial or time-constraint reasons to not come, but I hope you will work hard to find money and time for this. It's not just another meeting. It's a once-a-year opportunity to remember who we are together and find renewed grace for the next year. Come be with us.
Ned Berube, President
Eight Workshops You Don't Want to Miss!
(with commentary by Ned)
PLOT BASED PREACHING--Joshua Dylan from Scum/Denver will help us understand a fresh approach to preaching. I'm not entirely sure what it is but I'm quite sure of Joshua and hoping to be part of this presentation.
THE GREAT DANCE: COMPLEMENTARITY AND GENDER--Jean Holt, from our host church in Toledo has worked for years with Leanne Payne and will bring real wisdom and experience to bear upon this crucial matter of sexuality in this workshop
HERMENEUTICS: WHAT DID YOU MEAN BY THAT?--Paul Volk who is one of our key instructors in the Whitewater Leadership School has written a book on the subject, is passionate about it and will help us rightly divide the word of truth.
PREACHING THE BIBLE--Tom Kelby from Cornerstone in Spooner, Wisconsin has worked or years writing Bible study materials and bringing them to other countries as well as the USA. He is an excellent Bible expositor. I've heard him preach and I'm a tough sell.
TRANSFORMATION OF THE HEART: CHANGING OUR MOTIVATION—Dr. Greg Handel is a practicing psychologist as well as a pastor and will bring a winsome approach to this central pastoral matter.
THE PASTORAL LEADER AND CREATIVITY--Pat Kahnke from St. Paul Fellowship is also the founder of an indie band called "A Thousand Falls". They've just released their first CD and Pat will continue to bring light to this subject that Jerry King and Lou Kaloger helped us with in past conferences.
THE HISTORY AND CORE VALUES OF THE ARC—Ray Nethery, the founder and past president of the ARC still embodies the heart of who we are and his grace and wisdom will once again be available for those who want to know or need to be refreshed or just want to hear Ray.
LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES FROM A WIFE'S PERSPECTIVE--Joanne Widener has been a remarkable companion to Rick over nearly 4 decades and has led women in particular both here and in Brazil. And though I make Joanne nervous with my next assignments for Rick, I know she loves me and she will bless you.