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July 25 & 26, 2024
FEC’s Annual Leaders Conference

Dr. Derwin Gray

On Thursday, Derwin Gray will get us started by sharing a compelling vision of the new people God is creating on earth as it is in heaven.

Derwin is the Cofounding and Lead Pastor of Transformation Church, a multiethnic, multigenerational, mission-shaped community in Indian Land, South Carolina, just south of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Gray met his wife, Vicki, at Brigham Young University (BYU). They have been married since 1992 and have two adult children. After graduating from BYU, he played professional football in the National Football League for five years with the Indianapolis Colts (1993-1997) and one year with the Carolina Panthers (1998).

In 2008, Gray graduated from Southern Evangelical Seminary, with a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Apologetics, where he was mentored by renowned theologian and philosopher Dr. Norman Geisler. In 2018, Gray received his Doctor of Ministry in the New Testament in Context at Northern Seminary under Dr. Scot McKnight.

Gray is the author of numerous articles and books, including Building a Multiethnic Church: A Gospel Vision of Love, Grace, and Reconciliation in a Divided World.

Mark Clausing & Nashwan Saadoon

On Thursday afternoon, Mark Clausing & Nashwan Saadoon will together explore the beauty and challenge of living in God’s vision for one new people.

Since July 2022, Mark and Nashwan have served as church planters in Toledo, OH which is home to between 10,000 and 15,000 Arabs. Their vision is to see an English/Arabic speaking church in hopes of sharing the light of Christ to the Arab Muslim community.

Mark grew up in Northwest Ohio. After graduating with a degree in mathematics and marrying Ashley, they moved to Dayton where he was thrown into a diverse community teaching mathematics. It was there Mark discovered a passion for working with Muslims and a call to ministry. After receiving a MDiv from Liberty University, his now family of five moved back to Northwest Ohio where he served as a Youth Pastor at Crossroads Evangelical Church in Wauseon. In 2019 Mark was introduced to Nashwan, and the two shared a common vision for reaching the Muslim community in Toledo, Ohio.

Nashwan grew up in Mosul, Iraq in a Christian home. Enduring persecution, he developed a hatred toward Muslims. That changed when Jesus spoke to him in a dream and called Nashwan to love and not hate those who persecuted him. Nashwan later met and married his wife Seenaa and continued living in Iraq despite war. In 2007 Nashwan was kidnapped and tortured because of his faith in Jesus. He demonstrated Christ by offering forgiveness to those who tortured him. He and his family of five eventually moved to Jordan and then to Toledo, OH where he completed a Bible degree from Bethlehem Bible College and eventually met Mark.

Nate Hamblin

As we return on Friday morning, Nate Hamblin will unpack the grace God’s vision requires within a fellowship of believers.

Nate has served FEC as the Executive Director of Ministry Resourcing since January, 2021.  Nate was first introduced to FEC in 2004 when he began serving at Crossroads Evangelical Church in Wauseon, OH.  After 11 years in a variety of roles, he was sent to Adrian, MI to help plant Neighborhood Church for five years before joining the FEC office team.

Nate and his wife Amanda have been married for 22 years and have two sons – Eli and Oliver.  In his free time, he enjoys fishing, watching Michigan football, and spending time with his family.

Jon Rychener

To close our conference, Jon Rychener will send us with a challenge to extend God’s grace to those outside the community of believers.

Jon Rychener serves as the Senior Pastor of Northwoods Church in Peoria, IL where he’s committed to helping a generation think and live biblically.  After serving Northwoods in a variety of ministry roles for over 10 years, Jon became the Senior Pastor in 2022. He is committed to helping Northwoods reach a changing demographic in their surrounding neighborhoods and continue to plant churches.

Jon and his wife, Michaela, have been married for 14 years and are blessed with four young children.  In his free time, he loves to fish, golf, cheer on the Packers, and travel to new places with his family.

Generative AI

Exploring artificial intelligence. What even is this stuff, and why all the fear or hype around it? We’ll explore how pastors and ministry leaders can utilize these tools to assist with their own productivity. With a combined 60 years of professional IT experience, Brotherhood Mutual’s Christopher Harvey, AVP & CISO and Ryan Tufo, M.Div., IT Senior Manager, will lead us in a discussion (including practical examples) considering the usefulness and ethics around using AI in ministry.

Multi-Cultural Discipleship

Practical applications and implications for your ministry context. Hosted by Chris Freeman, lead pastor of City Church, this interactive session with Dr. Derwin Gray will explore the value of and challenges in leading a diverse group of people as one.

Preparing for Your Future

Questions to ask and practices to consider in preparing for retirement. Nate Zimmerman, FEC Director of Finance & Benefits, and Laura McMahon, Financial Advisor at Clearwater Private Wealth Advisors, will engage an interactive discussion of the FEC Retirement plan, benefits available, planning to consider, and other helpful information regardless of age or life stage.

Cultivating a Thriving Team Culture

Strategies for alignment, engagement, and authenticity among staff and volunteer teams. Lindsey Wertz, Executive of People and Strategic Development at Pine Hills Church, will delve into the essential elements of building a healthy and thriving team culture. Learn how to align your team around a shared mission and values, foster engagement through purposeful work and supportive relationships, and create an environment where vulnerability and authenticity are embraced.

Next Generation Leadership

Lessons learned from the global south. Pastor Robert Manda lives and serves in Malawi as the in-country bishop of FEC Africa and founder of the Pastoral Training Institute of Africa. He is married to Sheila and together they have three girls. Robert will share from his experience in rasing up the next generation and sending out gospel-centered leaders.

Growing Unity in an Age of Conflict

Preparing God’s people for another election season. How do we help people obey scripture’s command to grow in brotherly affection for those with whom we strongly disagree? The gospel directs us to love and honor. It is far easier to despise and judge. Mark Biehl, associate pastor of Upland Community Church and FEC Elder will help us see differences and disagreements as opportunities to be a “Christ-alone” church.

Mental Health in Ministry

Serving our communities while honoring personal wellness. Heidi Olszewksi has been a professional counselor for over 20 years and practices in both Ohio and Indiana. She will be explore the emotional impact of ministering to others, individual mental health diagnostic issues, preventing burnout, and support for all ages.

Loving LGBTQ+ People

Lessons learned from our personal journey.  The rise of non-traditional sex and gender identification and lifestyles isn’t just a moral, cultural, and biblical issue, it can have very personal effects on ministry families. Tom Bennardo, FEC Exec. Director of Church Multiplication & Leadership, his wife Marcia, and others will host an honest, interactive discussion for those wrestling with how to respond when those effects reach into our own homes, and into families within our churches.

Gospel Patronage

Understanding God’s historical design to partner patrons and pastors. Chris Eder, FEC Development Director and Dwight Montgomery, President of National Christian Foundation Ohio, provide valuable insight for identifying, supporting, and connecting gospel patrons God may place alongside you for the advancement of his kingdom.

You Got Questions … We Got Answers

Here are some of the most common questions about conference. If you have other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.