Brandon will begin with the CGGC on March 1, 2016. He’s a son of two CGGC congregations: College First and the Crosspoint Church, both here in Findlay. He’s a graduate of Bowling Green State University and Winebrenner Theological Seminary. He’s ordained through the Great Lakes Conference of the Churches of God. For the past six years he’s served at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Benton Ridge, OH (right outside of Findlay) – first as the director of discipleship and worship arts before serving for the past 2 ½ years as the senior pastor of the congregation. Brandon completed the initial offering of the Missional Leadership Initiative in 2010-11 and has served in various leadership capacities within the Great Lakes Conference and Camp Otyokwah. Brandon is married to Ellen and they live in Findlay with their two sons, Jackson and Fintan.
I’m excited about having Brandon on board as he will be an excellent addition to our staff here at the General Conference office. He’s a bright and talented young leader who brings a broad range of experiences and a real gift for passing on what he’s received.
One of my chief concerns was to identify a person who was able to take the foundation that had been laid and continue to build upon it and move things forward in Transformational Ministries (particularly around the issues of mission, discipleship and leadership development). Brandon is well suited to do this. He is a "graduate" of the first cycle of MLI and he's been on a several year journey with 3 Dimension Ministries to enhance his own understanding and practice of discipleship and mission. He comes to us as someone who has been putting these things into practice in his own life and ministry as well as inviting others to do the same.
Brandon is a great strategic thinker and offers what I believe is a prophetic voice to us during a crucial time in our history as a denomination. He’s going to be an excellent addition to our staff and I’m certain that our local congregations will be blessed by his gifts as he serves them in the areas of mission, discipleship and leadership development.
Finally, I've had the opportunity to watch Brandon's life closely over the past several years and I've observed someone who has a thirst for learning, development and growth. What has really made Brandon stand out is his commitment and ability to apply and implement his learning into his life in very practical ways and then to pass those things on to others as well. He doesn't just talk about making disciples, repeatedly he has invested deeply into a few and challenged them to go and do the same.
I’m excited to work alongside Brandon and look forward to witnessing the fruit that will be produced through his life and ministry. Would you join me in praying for Brandon and his family as they make the transition from their current ministry to the General Conference Office over the next couple of months? Brandon will be attending most of the regional conference meetings later this spring and summer, so please make a point to introduce yourself to him and welcome him to his new ministry within the CGGC.
Christ’s Peace,
Lance