The whole church at our annual camping trip at Honeyman State Park!
“News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.” Acts 11:22-24 In the first century, we find that key leaders did not have an attachment to any one congregation. Rather they went to where they were most needed at the time. They were sent to places where they could best serve. In the first century the leaders were “World Christians” not simply Galatian Christians, or Corinthian Christians! For over 10 years the Eugene International Christian Church has been all about world evangelism in this generation. From this local congregation, disciples have been sent out to encourage and strengthen others churches all over the world to places like Boston, Massachusetts, Chicago, Illinois, Dallas, Texas, Denver, Colorado, Honolulu, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Nevada, London, England, Los Angeles, California, Mexico City, Mexico, New York City, New York, Phoenix, Arizona, Portland, Oregon, Santa Barbra, California, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Washington D.C. Truly the impact of the disciples in Track Town, U.S.A. is racing all around the world in this generation.
Today marks a significant day in the Eugene International Christian Church. In an effort to reach more souls all around the world and to meet the immediate needs of the Eugene church, we are initiating the Eugene Leadership Academy! The ELA, is our plan to prepare our members for the mission field and to train leaders that are qualified to meet the needs of our local congregation. Our prayer is that through the ELA we will cultivate an atmosphere that is conducive to raising up the spiritual leaders needed to further God’s kingdom. Here are the names of the first people selected to the Eugene Leadership Academy:
Devon Donahue baptized Feb.2.2014 – Devon is a multi-talented young woman with a passion to use all of her gifts for God. She has a dream to one day serve in the ministry full-time. Currently she serves in University of Oregon campus ministry. Lord willing she be moving to Corvallis in January 2015 to help start a campus ministry at Oregon State University.
Ryan Gordon baptized Feb.17.2013 – Ryan is an incredible young man with a heart for God. After experiencing the darkness of the world, he believes living as disciple of Jesus is the only real way to have life to the full! He has help many here in Eugene in their personal walks with God and currently he is our Teen Ministry Leader
Maddie Hacket
t baptized Aug.8.2010 – Maddie Hackett is an amazing young woman with a very promising future in God’s kingdom. The church here in Eugene has watch Maddie grow from a young girl to a mature woman of God. Currently she is a sophomore at the University of Oregon and serves the campus ministry there.
Brooke Helm baptized Mar.3.2005 – Brooke was one of the first fruits of the campus ministry at the University of Oregon. Since that time she has served as a missionary in Portland, Oregon, East Los Angeles, California, Moorpark, California and Mexico City, Mexico. Her heart to going anywhere for the sake of the gospel is an upward calling for all of us who aspire to be like Jesus
Ryan Hill baptized Jun.15.2014 – Just a few credits shy of earning his Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Oregon, Ryan is a great example of hard work and perseverance. Just like Jesus, he is always looking to help those less fortunate than himself. Lord willing, upon finishing his degree, Ryan will be moving to Corvallis to serve the campus ministry there in January 2015.
Bradley Hensen baptized Feb.20.2011 – “Bishop” Bradley uses his music to inspire others to fall in love with Christ. With the ability to easily become anyone’s best friend, you can usually find Bradley with a friend he’s helping to know Jesus. We look forward to seeing what creative ways he uses his talent to serve the ministry
Jennifer Jogsma baptized Sep.17.2013 – The sister of one our beloved Eugene missionaries, Jennifer has a heart to stand up for the truth when others would not. She has a deep love for God and is eager to receive discipling from the righteous women in her life. Currently she serves alongside Ryan Gordon as our Teen Ministry Leaders
Shermel James baptized Mar.6.2011 – As a missionary here from New York City, Shermel is a strong woman with deep passion for the lost and God’s word. Life has taught her humility and her repentance has been evident by the fruit of her life. Always looking to be taught about the Lord, we all here in Eugene have full confidence in her and are eagerly anticipating her success in the ministry.
Daniel Jouvin baptized Jun.2.2013 – As a missionary here from Los Angeles, California, Daniel has given up everything to see the Eugene church succeed. Because of his heart of humility, Daniel quickly rose up to become a Bible Talk Leader. Now he is looking forward to growing in his relationship with God and dreams of one day being appointed as an Evangelist.
Megan Loheed baptized Jul.8.2009 – Baptized as a teenager, Megan has overcome a lot in her life and is honored to be a part of Eugene Leadership Academy. For the past few years Megan has been the light of the Eugene campus ministry. Currently going into her senior year at the University of Oregon, we know God has amazing plans for her not just this year but in the years beyond the U of O.
Sierra McClelland baptized May.29.2011 – Baptized as a teenager, Sierra has been an armor bearer to many women around the world. Right after high school, she answered the call to serve in the full time ministry in Mexico City, Mexico in 2012. Even after that, with just a one week notice, she gave up everything to be a missionary here in Eugene. It is an honor to have her as a part of the ELA.
Alex Reitmann baptized Sep.5.2010 – Alex’s growth over the past few years has been nothing short of amazing. She possesses a gentleness that can only be matched by her maturity. She has the heart to go anywhere, do anything, and give up everything for the sake of Jesus. Her future knows no limits and we are proud to have her as a part of the Eugene family
Kelsey Reitmann baptized Feb.27.2013 – Kelsey is the definition of perseverance. Having been through so many challenges in her life, her heart to never give up and never give in is truly a great example for us all. We know that it is with that heart, that she will one day reach her dream to be a Women’s Ministry Leader. Lord willing Kelsey will be amongst the few who will be moving to Corvallis to baptize many.
Adrian Rodriguez baptized Apr.28.2014 – Adrian is selfless servant who is always looking for a need to meet. Since he became a disciple, he has a relentless ambition to protect the unity in God’s church, even if it means he’s the one who needs to change. Lord willing, he will be moving in January 2015 to start a ministry in Corvallis.
Everitt Smith baptized Feb.28.2014 – Everitt is a passionate preacher, with a heart to impact as many as possible. As an Evangelist in training, Everitt has embraced the task of preaching the gospel to whoever will listen. Lord willing, we will be able to watch as the Lord miraculously transforms Everitt into the incredible leader that will lead the Corvallis House Church in January 2015.
Reina Smith baptized Feb.28.2014 – As the better half of the amazing Smith couple, Reina has uncompromising convictions from the word of God. Reina has a heart to teach women how to follow God with all their heart. We believe God will continue to work in Reina’s heart to transform her into the suitable helper that can lead alongside her husband as in the Corvallis House church in 2015.
The call to leadership is not only a noble aspiration, but also a very challenging one. We know that the enemy is constantly looking for a way to discourage, dishearten, and disengage our leaders from their God given role in his kingdom. Let’s get behind these guys and make their work a joy and not a burden. Let’s be their biggest fans. Let’s be their big brothers, big sisters, their moms and dads. Their victory is our victory. Their success is our success. Great leaders do not make great churches; rather great churches make great leaders. So let’s continue to be a great church. These 16 individuals have answered the call to leadership in God’s kingdom. And we are confident that through the teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness rooted in the Scriptures, that the Lord will equip them for every good work he has prepared for them to do in his kingdom!
Gabriel Reed
Evangelist of the Eugene International Christian Church
The Eugene Leadership Academy!