I was honored to serve Bishop Brad & Susan Reynolds and the members of the Ephesians 4 Network (E4N) as their presiding officer, on Saturday, July 13, 2019. The Ephesians 4 Network (E4N) was birthed in January 2002 to reach an eight-state region (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Wisconsin) in the north-central part of the United States. This was E4N’s 18th annual conference gathering.
The conference convened at 9 a.m. on the campgrounds of the International Pentecostal Church of Christ (IPCC), in London, Ohio—about a 45-minute drive from Columbus, Ohio, home of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Bishop Reynolds established a relationship with their former General Overseer, Bishop Clyde Hughes, several years ago that has resulted in a fruitful ministry partnership. Bishop Hughes has attended several IPHC General Conferences through the years as a fraternal guest and was a strong supporter of Bishop Leggett when he served as chairman of the Pentecostal Charismatic Churches of North America (PCCNA) and Pentecostal World Conference (PWC). Bishop Hughes has added value and credibility to every leadership position he has served in. He epitomizes servant leadership. The IPCC is currently led by General Overseer Shannon Truelove.
Preceding the Conference Session, E4N celebrated its annual camp meeting from July 10-12. The camp meeting started on Wednesday evening. Pastor Steve Hickerson preached. On Thursday afternoon, Dr. Terry Tramel hosted a World Missions Ministries Global Outreach Rally and meal for E4N. It was a beneficial opportunity. Dr. Tramel also preached the Thursday evening camp meeting service. On Friday evening, Mark Sarver, senior pastor of Church on the Rock in Berea, Kentucky, preached the concluding camp meeting service. A special time of prayer was held around the altar following his message. E4N also used Thursday and Friday mornings to resource and train their pastors.
Bishop Reynolds began his report by honoring the members of E4N’s Executive Council and his family. In conferences that cannot afford the services of an administrative team, the Executive Council and family members play a vital role in serving and carrying the vision.
Excerpts from Bishop Reynold’s State of the Conference Report are:
“Our theme this year has been Revive, and this year, we have seen E4N being revived in many areas. First, we have seen churches go through much needed revitalization. Secondly, E4N has grown this year by 20%! Today E4N stands at 41 churches and growing!
I would like to welcome the following new churches into E4N:
- House of the Lord
- Greater Christ Temple
- Breath of Life Church
- Lifeguard Church
- Empowering Visions
- True Deliverance Ministries
E4N is still dedicated to providing recourses to its churches and ministers.
E4N is also dedicated to resourcing our churches; we are here to serve our churches, to come alongside each pastor and church and help them to accomplish their God-given vision.
We are also expanding our leadership structure so that more people can get involved and be a part of what God is doing in E4N. There are going to be more opportunities than ever before. The conference this year was put together by a young team of 20-somethings who brainstormed and met via conference call, to make this conference happen. More and more, our younger leadership is stepping up.
E4N has operated as a transactional organization in recent years, but we will no longer be a transactional organization, but a transformational organization. Transformational leaders focus on change and results. As a transformational organization, we will strive to raise up and train transformational leaders. Leaders who will be transformational to their communities and region for the cause of Christ!
We are restarting our school of ministry and developing young leaders. We are recruiting more than ever.
E4N is also looking for a permanent home. Pray with us.
Your involvement is key. Without your involvement, E4N will not be a success. Our motto is, “together we can do more,” and it takes all of us participating. Our mission is fivefold!
We purpose:
1. to plant new churches
2. to revitalize existing churches
3. to build strong ministers
4. to promote and establish the E4 Model
5. to aggressively pursue “like-minded” independents to join our E4N familyIt has been a great honor to serve in E4N over the past many years, and I look forward to the next few years ahead of us.”
Clergy credentials were issued as follows:
Ordination (8)
- Rev. Amelia Conn
- Rev. LaSonya Eppes
- Daryl Singleton
- Rev. Susan Gray
- Rev. Frank Collins
- Rev. Mattie Ford
- Rev. Shakaris Bennett
- Rev. Sadallie Cole
Minister’s License (2)
- Rev. Brian Zamora
- Rev. Tyson Weber
Local Church Minister’s Certificate (6)
- Narciso Camarillo
- Ricardo Martinez
- Aneidit Martinez
- Tiffany Conn
- Marilyn Zamora
- Jessica Zamora
It was an honor as the presiding officer to recognize the following conference attendees and guests:
- Rob and Cara Clegg, EVUSA Ministries Council member.
- Aaron Helland, IPHC career missionary to Brazil (seconded to PAZ/Project Amazon). Aaron was accompanied by his father. Dear man and scholar/historian.
- Veronica Frietes, missionary to the Dominican Republic.
- Abigail Yeatts, WMM/The Awakening.
I honor Bishop Reynolds and his family for their service to the Lord and the IPHC in E4N. E4N covers an extensive territory—what tremendous kingdom potential.
May God give Brad and Susan the desires of their hearts!
I was honored to serve this part of our IPHC faith family.
