AGBM Annual Meeting Now Concluded

Pastor Jim Custer (right), who is just completing his longtime ministry as pastor of the Columbus, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church, prayed for the executive committee and board of the Association of Grace Brethren Ministers (on platform) as today's annual meeting of the AGBM concluded.

Held at 4 p.m. today (Sunday) in the Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, the meeting was attended by more than 300 Grace Brethren pastors and elders. Joel Richards, pastor of the LaLoma Grace Brethren Church in Modesto, California, and current president of AGBM, moderated.

The group recognized newly-licensed and ordained members, heard and approved a financial report, and dealt with several issues relating to membership and changes in the group's consitution.

The three annual awards were given as well. Dr. David Plaster, newly-called pastor of the Columbus, Ohio, church, was given the Excellence in Ministry award. He recently concluded several decades of ministry teaching and administrating at Grace College & Seminary. Dr. Ken Bickel of the seminary faculty read the commendation for Plaster.

The Pastor of the Year Award was given to Pastor Rick Nuzum of the Grace Brethren Church of Powell, Ohio. Jim Custer read the commendation and Pastor Nuzum's history, which included NFL experience with the Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, and New York Giants as a player.

The Powell church under his leadership for the past 12 years has started three new churches, supports 23 missionaries, and has continued with a strong ministry in the Columbus area. Nuzum was unable to attend because of the sudden heart attack and death of a parishioner.

Jack Churchill, longtime Grace Brethren missionary to Argentina and to Mexico, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Churchill, 85, was also unable to attend the ceremony due to health concerns.