Twenty-two local church leaders signed up for training to become lay pastors and met at the Rocky Mountain Conference office Sept. 20-22, 2019.
“Equipping men and women to serve alongside their pastor will be a tremendous blessing to the local church,” commented Mickey Mallory, RMC ministerial director. “It will allow more ministry to take place, which will translate into more people’s lives impacted for Christ.”
Nate Skaife, lead pastor at the Grand Junction Church in Grand Junction, Colorado, was the instructor for this first training event. He started teaching lay pastors in 2012 while ministering in a church in Wisconsin. Wilton Helm, from Aspen Park Church in Conifer, Colorado, said Pastor Skaife’s training exemplified good teaching and coaching techniques.
Each participant must complete six training classes before they receive certification. Outside of class time, there are assignments to be completed as well before a candidate receives a completion of training diploma.
Bill Oxenford from True Life Community congregation in Littleton, Colorado, said he enjoyed the training. “It was wonderful to be engaged with so many like-minded church workers who love Jesus and are so willing to serve Him and seek those who are looking for truth,” he added.
Emmanuel Jean from Agape Haitian Church in Aurora, Colorado, said his biggest takeaway from the training was the discussion and interaction among peers. “This training will help me be the brighter light in the lives of my church members and the people of my community who could be facing darkness in their spiritual lives,” he said.
Commenting on the reason to become a trained lay pastor, Mark Royer from Trinidad Church in Trinidad, Colorado, concluded with a question: “If I am not motivated and dedicated, how can I expect my church to be?”
The next training session is planned for Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2020 in Denver.
Rajmund Dabrowski is communication director for the Rocky Mountain Conference. Mickey Mallory is ministerial director for the Rocky Mountain Conference.
