Honoring Generations Past

by Ron Hamilton, Conference Minister

The theme for this year’s annual meeting in Providence, Rhode Island is “For Every Generation.”

But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. (Psalm 33:11)

This teaching calls us to celebrate God’s faithfulness to those who place their faith in Him. It also reminds us that God has accomplished his plans through faithful people in generations past.

I have the privilege of personally knowing every one of my predecessors who served as Conference Minister for the CCCC. In addition to the names listed below, seven others served the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference as Executive Secretary or Missionary at Large. These were all godly men with a great passion for the ministry of our fellowship. Each of them made a special contribution to the growth and development of the CCCC.

    CCCC Conference Ministers
1973-1974 Rev. Willis E. Joiner
1974-1977 Rev. J. Bruce Ostien
1977-1981 Rev. Samuel T. Hemberger
1981-2003 Rev. Clifford R. Christensen
2003-2011 Rev. Steve Gammon

Willis Joiner was a dedicated pastor from Virginia who loved the CCCC and wanted to work toward its growth. I had many times of fellowship with Bruce Ostien, who was a ministry peer when I served as pastor in New Haven, Michigan. Sam and Anna Hemberger were hard-working servants of the Lord who made many sacrifices to help the Conference grow in challenging times. Cliff Christensen played a significant role in the development of church planting in the Upper Midwest and became a good friend and mentor when I was called to be the founding pastor of the Woodbury Community Church. I worked closely with Steve Gammon and have always appreciated his devotion to the Lord, His church and the CCCC.

I am humbled as I remember the faithful service of believing people from the generations that precede us. Please join me in thanking God for these faithful servants who laid a strong foundation for our Conference. I encourage you to take time to thank the people that you know who have faithfully served God is the ministry of your church. Also, thank God for the people who have passed on to be with Him in heaven.

The Lord has now entrusted us with the ministry for this generation. I pray that He will give us the strength and wisdom that is required to carry on the kingdom work in these critical and challenging days.