God Is Working in the Heartland

by Steve Wills, CCCCArea Rep for Indiana and Western Ohio

As we look over the Indiana and Western Ohio Area of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference, we are reminded of Galatians 3:26–28, You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

St Peters Church, New Bremen, Ohio

It was three years ago when Steve Getteringer called Steve Wills and asked him to be the area representative for Indiana and Western Ohio. And after prayerful consideration, Pastor Wills accepted this position. In his 13th year as pastor of St. Peters Church in New Bremen, Ohio, Steve considers it an honor to serve the churches and pastors of his area.

We have seven active churches in our area and enjoy gathering together twice a year. Our fellowship is centered on “what is happening” and “how we can pray.” We support and care for one another through sharing of concerns and prayer. We also enjoy the importance of being connected. Jim Futell, a pastor at Fairhaven Church in Centerville, gives this example of how important our fellowship is: “One very positive thing that came out of our CCCC regional gathering here on October 7 was the opportunity for two seminary students who go to the same school to meet and talk. John Turner from my church met C.J. Buskirk, pastor at Sulphur Springs Christian. They talked about Cincinnati Bible Seminary, and were able to share some important information together. That is one reason why regional gatherings are valuable.”

An interesting fact about the Indiana and Western Ohio Area is although we only have seven active churches, we have over thirty active licensed and ordained clergy. Many of these clergy work in para-church organizations. Matt Mascioli, who serves as a licensed chaplain with the CCCC, is involved in re-starting a homeless shelter that has been closed for over two years. The group has purchased a building, obtained 501(c)(3) status, actively fundraises, and will soon hire an executive director. The organization, Beyond Homeless Inc., aims to open its doors in January, 2014. Matt will serve as Liaison for Faith-Based and Community Involvement with BHI (very similar to chaplaincy roles he has had at other homeless shelters).

Another example is Rev. David Bear. He is director of Overseas Council, a ministry that works for God’s glory alongside healthy churches across the Majority World by partnering with seminaries and Bible institutes in about sixty countries. He encourages us to go to the Overseas Council website (www.overseas.org) to get an overview of the work he does as he serves the greater church worldwide.

We are reminded of our unity and diversity in the CCCC, as we continue to live out our faith in Christ Jesus in the Heartland of America.