MWR : Pastor called to new role

Last updated November 24.

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Nov. 30, 2009 issue

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Tags: Congregations

Pastor called to new role

Trinity Mennonite Church, Glendale, Ariz.

By Leah M. Hershberger

Weddings: Patrick Buller and Abbe Votaw, Oct. 4; Geoff Kimel and Danielle Smith, Oct. 10.

Birth: Bryan Jeffrey Castillo Jones, Oct. 15, to Matthew and K.C. Jones. Jeff and Catherine Jones are the proud grandparents.

Trinity’s annual church retreat was held at Emmanuel Pines Camp in Prescott Sept. 18-20. Sessions were led by pastors Shane Hipps and Hal Shrader and focused on missional service to the church, neighborhood and world based on Acts 1:8. Attendees enjoyed campfires, quilting, hiking, fellowship and Saturday evening’s entertainment, “Trinity Has Talent.”

David McClain, Ali Zuercher, Maddie Shrader, Tim Litwiller, Riley Swartzendruber and Amy Schunn were baptized Sept. 27.

In early October, the leadership team announced lead pastor Shane Hipps’ calling to serve as a teaching pastor at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Mich. A discussion time was held Oct. 4 giving Hipps the opportunity to speak with the congregation about answering God’s new calling in his life; the congregation responded through questions, comments and emotion. In addition, the leadership team led house meetings throughout the Valley for Trinity attendees to process Hipps’ call to ministry in Michigan and God’s plans for Trinity.

The Spanish language church, Iglesia Unidos en Gracia (United in Grace Church), began holding Sunday afternoon and Wednesday evening services in Trinity’s fellowship hall in October. Iglesia Unidos en Gracia is a congregation of 60-70 individuals from Trinity’s surrounding neighborhood.

Darrell Bacher, president and founder of Aim Right Ministries, spoke to us on Oct. 25 about the organization’s ongoing work with at-risk Phoenix youth. Trinity was invited to support Aim Right, who sponsored a lunch to raise funds after the worship service.

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