Written by Bill Kynes, director of regional chapters for The Gospel Coalition
As director of TGC’s regional chapters, I get to hear amazing stories about what God is doing around the country. Here are a few recent ones.
Twin Cities: The pastors of our Twin Cities chapter in Minnesota have come together to support a woman working on TGC’s behalf in war-torn Ukraine. This woman translates and publishes articles every week for TGC’s Ukrainian and Russian websites. She’s focusing on biblically based content that unpacks how God ministers to his people in suffering, how to maintain a Christ-centered marriage when husbands are away fighting in the war, and how to find contentment and know God’s will amid often daily bombardments by the enemy. This young woman lost her fiancé in the war. She’s had opportunities to escape to safer countries, but she’s held firm, staying to minister to a population that needs the hope only Christ can provide.
Northern Mississippi: A leader from our new Mississippi chapter recently wrote to say, “I’m emailing you from the second TGC North Mississippi chapter meeting. We’re super encouraged by the response! For our first meeting, Collin Hansen came and taught on cultural apologetics. We had about 15 guys. Most of the attendees were from the Oxford area. At this second meeting, Ben Gladd is teaching biblical theology. We have 25 guys here! They’re from different denominations all over the region. Churches in Tupelo, Oxford, Starkville, Cleveland, Greenwood, and more. What an encouragement! Nothing like this exists in Mississippi.”
Western Carolina: Here’s a message I received from Jason VonBehren, leader of our new chapter in Western Carolina: “We had an amazing gathering last week. Around 20 guys. We talked through creating a culture of hope and healing in our churches though we are broken leaders ourselves. It was incredible.”
Orlando: And another testimony from Arthur Gonçalves, leader of TGC Orlando: “I wanted to share a quick update from a recent TGC Orlando gathering. The Lord was kind and gracious to us. Pastor H.B. Charles Jr. served us well, ministering deeply to our pastors and ministry leaders. We had a rich time for questions and answers, earnest prayer around our tables, and meaningful fellowship that continued even after the meal. After the meeting, I received calls from brothers who were on the brink of stepping away from ministry. They had not only showed up for the meeting, but they were encouraged by the Word, and connected for the first time with other pastors laboring near them. They told me that by the end of the gathering, they had experienced strengthened hearts and a renewed sense of calling. And they had formed new gospel friendships!”
At the end of his note, Gonçalves wrote this: “I’m convinced that TGC regional chapters serve as a means of grace for pastors. They connect isolated brothers in genuine gospel friendships, strengthening them to persevere in ministry. We’re far more effective together than we are apart, and these gatherings help to remind us of that reality.”
Are you looking for pastoral friendships? Consider joining or starting a TGC regional chapter. TGC chapters are cross-denominational groups of pastors who gather regularly for prayer, fellowship, mutual encouragement, study, and mission. The goal is furthering the ministry of the gospel in their communities. For more information, check out our website or contact me, Bill Kynes, directly at bill.kynes@thegospelcoalition.org.
—Bill
