On Sunday, October 18, Keith T.Randall became the third Senior Pastor of Peninsula Grace Brethren Church, Soldotna, Alaska. His father, Thomas Randall, was special speaker for the occasion. Former Pastor, Dan Thornton, “passed the baton” of leadership to Keith during the service. The PGBC Elders each prayed for a specific aspect of Keith’s life and ministry. They were accompanied by attending area pastors, in the laying on of hands. Pastor Al Kidder, of the Kenai Grace Brethren Church, represented the other pastors when he shared in the prayer time with the elders.
Keith and his family began attending PGBC about six years ago. He came on staff as Director of Administration about four years ago. In 2006, Keith was ordained by the church after being examined by the Southern California/Arizona Examining Board. Then, in May of 2006, he assumed the responsibility of Interim Pastor when Dan Thornton began a sabbatical. This position continued when Dan resigned in May of 2007. Having been selected unanimously from a number of applicants, the Search Committee (with unanimous Elder Board endorsement) recommended Keith to the congregation for the call.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Arctic District Pastor meet
On October 18th, the Arctic District Ministerium met at the Eagle River GBC. All the FGBC churches in Alaska now have pastors in place. Grady Pennell, the recently installed host pastor, and Al Kidder, newly arrived pastor at Kenai GBC, were welcomed to our meeting. A fresh impetus for united cooperation and ministry has begun among our District churches. Keith Randall was welcomed in his new role as Senior Pastor at Peninsula Grace in Soldotna. Joy and enthusiasm are "running amok" among us.
Missions "Encouragement" Sunday
Sunday, October 28, marks the beginning of a new emphasis at Peninsula Grace. Tony Heredia, PGBC's missionary to Mexico, will be present to help the church on its first "NO Boundaries - Eye on Missions" Sunday. Following the morning worship service, where he will be involved with both adults and children, a Mexican theme carry-in dinner will be held. There the church will continue its new focus on Encouraging our Missionaries. This day also marks the kick-off of the 2007 edition of the Brown Bag ministry (a feature of Tony's ministry among Mexican and Tribal peoples of Mexico during the Christmas season). Tony's ministry 'to' PGBC, as well as PGBC's ministry 'with' and 'through' Tony has broadened and deepened the church's vision.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
PGBC begins Fall Focus
October 7 marked the beginning of "Fall Focus" for Peninsula Grace. This year the church is focusing on "Becoming a Contagious Christian" during this six week emphasis. In addition to ongoing Grace Groups, a special Adult class (Sundays at 9:00 am) and new home groups are involved in this anticipated growth opportunity.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Peninsula Grace has a new Senior Pastor!
Peninsula Grace has a new Senior Pastor!
On Sunday, September 30, following the Worship service, the Congregation of
This action by the church brings to completion a five month search process. The search committee, after careful consideration of a number of potential candidates, made a unanimous recommendation to the Elder Board, which in turn made a unanimous recommendation to the Congregation that Keith be called as the new Senior Pastor.
Plans are being made for an appropriate installation service.
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Monday, September 24, 2007
PGBC hosts Alaska Christian Ministries Convention
The Alaska Christian Ministries Convention was hosted by Peninsula Grace on Monday and Tuesday (September 24-25). Featured tracks and leaders were: Worship (Richard Allen Farmer - gifted musician, worship leader and preacher), Youth Issues (Tom Hansen - State Director of Young Life), Kid's Ministries (Art Braendel - Royal Rangers State Director, and Chuck Thornton - Associate Pastor at PGBC), Church Governance (Kent Redfearn - Pastor of Community Assembly in Anchorage), and Adult Challenges (Keith Hamilton - President of Alaska Christian College, and Allen Humphries - Pastor of Soldotne Church of God).
Richard Allen Farmer presented a piano and vocal concert at the Soldotna Bible Chapel on the previous Sunday night, as a "prelude" to the Convention.
Richard Allen Farmer presented a piano and vocal concert at the Soldotna Bible Chapel on the previous Sunday night, as a "prelude" to the Convention.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Peninsula Grace to have a candidate
On Sunday, September 23, Keith Randall will be candidating for the Senior Pastor position at Peninsula Grace. Keith has been serving on the PGBC staff as Director of Administration (3 years) and, more recently) as Interim Pastor (16 months). The Church will have a special business meeting on September 30, after the morning service, for the purpose of voting on Keith's call.
Arctic District Ministerium meets
The Arctic District Ministerium met on September 20 at Peninsula Grace in Soldotna. This is the fist time in several years that all Grace Brethren Cchurches in Alaska have had pastors. The most recently arrived is the new pastor at Kenai Grace. Al Kidder began serving the Kenai Church in mid-July.
Pastor Installed at Eagle River
Eagle River has a New Pastor!
On Sunday, June 17, Grady Pennell was installed as the new pastor of the Eagle River Grace Brethren Church. The guest speaker was Bill Perkins, who had mentored Grady from the time of his conversion through the early years of his Christian life. He had just completed a Seminar with the men of the Eagle River Church.: “Six Battles Every Man Must Win”.
Grady and his wife, Pat, came to the Eagle River Congregation upon retiring after twenty years service as a Chaplain in the U.S. Marines. They bring with them a son, who is a college student, and a daughter, who is completing high school.
Bill Perkins spoke to Grady during the Installation service. Chuck Thornton, representing both the Arctic District and the FGBC, spoke to the Congregation, while Kent Kelly, church moderator, led the congregation in their commitment to follow Pastor Grady’s leadership.
On Sunday, June 17, Grady Pennell was installed as the new pastor of the Eagle River Grace Brethren Church. The guest speaker was Bill Perkins, who had mentored Grady from the time of his conversion through the early years of his Christian life. He had just completed a Seminar with the men of the Eagle River Church.: “Six Battles Every Man Must Win”.
Grady and his wife, Pat, came to the Eagle River Congregation upon retiring after twenty years service as a Chaplain in the U.S. Marines. They bring with them a son, who is a college student, and a daughter, who is completing high school.
Bill Perkins spoke to Grady during the Installation service. Chuck Thornton, representing both the Arctic District and the FGBC, spoke to the Congregation, while Kent Kelly, church moderator, led the congregation in their commitment to follow Pastor Grady’s leadership.
Church Picnic - Alaskan Style
All-Church Picnic – Alaskan Style
Cars, pickups, and even a motorcycle began arriving at the site. The Tesoro Oil Company’s Picnic Grounds was the place. Some 125 people from Peninsula Grace Brethren Church, Soldotna, Alaska attended the all-church picnic on Sunday, July 15th. By 4:30 pm canoes were launched on the lake. By 5:00 kayaks had been added to the flotilla.
“Y’all come” was the invitation (some of our people hail from the south). So we did. Some regretted wearing sweatshirts, because the sun was shining and the day was… well, the day was considerably warmer than at first expected. Some hardy souls (plus a bunch of children) went swimming in the (approximately) 43 degree lake. Frisbees and footballs flew. The volleyball court was busy. People talked (some simply sat, sunned, and, maybe, snored).
Chef Leroy Heinrich and his minions ably grilled the hamburgers and hotdogs, while the ladies set out side dishes and desserts (among which was one of Janice Thornton’s strawberry-rhubarb pies – Umm-mm!). Lemonade was the beverage of (only) choice.
At 5:00 pm, the Native Youth Drummers Team played and sang Native Alaskan songs. Then we ate.
But that was just the beginning. There was more to come. After the eating, the Drummers led us in another Native song : “Jesus, Purify us”. Then we participated in a feet-washing ceremony as the second portion of the Communion service. Not always do we meet out of doors, nor do we use water dipped from the lake, but we obeyed Jesus’ command to “Wash one another’s feet”.
While this was taking place, one young boy asked his uncle : “What are the men and boys doing in the pavilion?” His uncle replied: “Washing each others’ feet. Would you like to? “Yes.” “Before you do, there is something you must understand. Everyone in the pavilion has trusted Jesus as his Savior, and only they should wash feet...Have you ever asked Jesus to be your Savior?” “No.” “Would you like to?” “Yes.”
So Tim told Carlos the Old, Old Story, and shortly after the main foot washing had ended I looked into the pavilion, and there was Tim, kneeling at the feet of his “new-born brother-in Christ” nephew, washing his feet. What a Birthday celebration there must have been in heaven just then !
Following that we shared in the Eucharist. Then, after the Drummers led us in “We Are One in the Spirit, We Are One in the Lord”, we moved to the lake front. There Pastor Keith presided as Brian, a father baptized his two daughters, Fiona and Devon, in testimony to their faith.
Then back home again. Back to...a normal week? No way! We entered the week with a renewed sense of what it means to be part of the Family of God, including being a portion of the sub-family called Grace Brethren.
Picnic – Alaskan style...now that’s the way to do it (up here on the Kenai Peninsula, at least).
Cars, pickups, and even a motorcycle began arriving at the site. The Tesoro Oil Company’s Picnic Grounds was the place. Some 125 people from Peninsula Grace Brethren Church, Soldotna, Alaska attended the all-church picnic on Sunday, July 15th. By 4:30 pm canoes were launched on the lake. By 5:00 kayaks had been added to the flotilla.
“Y’all come” was the invitation (some of our people hail from the south). So we did. Some regretted wearing sweatshirts, because the sun was shining and the day was… well, the day was considerably warmer than at first expected. Some hardy souls (plus a bunch of children) went swimming in the (approximately) 43 degree lake. Frisbees and footballs flew. The volleyball court was busy. People talked (some simply sat, sunned, and, maybe, snored).
Chef Leroy Heinrich and his minions ably grilled the hamburgers and hotdogs, while the ladies set out side dishes and desserts (among which was one of Janice Thornton’s strawberry-rhubarb pies – Umm-mm!). Lemonade was the beverage of (only) choice.
At 5:00 pm, the Native Youth Drummers Team played and sang Native Alaskan songs. Then we ate.
But that was just the beginning. There was more to come. After the eating, the Drummers led us in another Native song : “Jesus, Purify us”. Then we participated in a feet-washing ceremony as the second portion of the Communion service. Not always do we meet out of doors, nor do we use water dipped from the lake, but we obeyed Jesus’ command to “Wash one another’s feet”.
While this was taking place, one young boy asked his uncle : “What are the men and boys doing in the pavilion?” His uncle replied: “Washing each others’ feet. Would you like to? “Yes.” “Before you do, there is something you must understand. Everyone in the pavilion has trusted Jesus as his Savior, and only they should wash feet...Have you ever asked Jesus to be your Savior?” “No.” “Would you like to?” “Yes.”
So Tim told Carlos the Old, Old Story, and shortly after the main foot washing had ended I looked into the pavilion, and there was Tim, kneeling at the feet of his “new-born brother-in Christ” nephew, washing his feet. What a Birthday celebration there must have been in heaven just then !
Following that we shared in the Eucharist. Then, after the Drummers led us in “We Are One in the Spirit, We Are One in the Lord”, we moved to the lake front. There Pastor Keith presided as Brian, a father baptized his two daughters, Fiona and Devon, in testimony to their faith.
Then back home again. Back to...a normal week? No way! We entered the week with a renewed sense of what it means to be part of the Family of God, including being a portion of the sub-family called Grace Brethren.
Picnic – Alaskan style...now that’s the way to do it (up here on the Kenai Peninsula, at least).
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