Today three new fellowships were welcomed into the Church of the Brethren by Annual Conference. Nate Polzin, executive director of Discipleship and Leadership Formation for the Church of the Brethren, assisted the Conference officers in recognizing the new groups and their representatives.
Monte de Dios in Eden, N.C., in Virlina District, is led by pastor Manuel Cruz. The district recognized the group’s fellowship status in January this year. The Monte de Dios Fellowship is a growing new fellowship with an outreach to Spanish-speaking families in the greater Eden area. The fellowship celebrated its first baptism on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. Pastor Manni Cruz focuses his ministry on reaching out to those who do not yet know Jesus and nurturing discipleship in those who do.
The Way in Roanoke, Va., in Virlina District, is led by pastor Gina Wright-Hawkins. The district recognized the fellowship in January this year. The Way fellowship is a dinner church ministering to the Mountain View neighborhood of Roanoke. Centering their worship on table fellowship and communion, The Way intentionally seeks those who are not likely to be reached by the ministry of more traditional churches.
Iglesia del Salvador Viviente in McFarland, Calif., in Pacific Southwest District, is led by pastor Henry Roblero. They were recognized as a fellowship at district conference in November 2024. Salvador Viviente is a growing group reaching into the Spanish-speaking community in McFarland and nearby communities. Worship is a lively experience with a strong and multi-generational praise team, a vital prayer ministry, and strong preaching. They celebrated their third anniversary as a faith community on June 29.
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Find more Church of the Brethren news:
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- Mission and Ministry Board extends general secretary’s term, recognizes Material Resources, approves 2026 budget parameter, among other business
- Deportation Defense Response offers new online giving option to support Church of the Brethren members, shares requests for prayer and praise
- Brethren Disaster Ministries shares domestic program survey
- Faith leaders condemn administration efforts to abandon historic US refugee program