Breakfast on Tuesday with Grace College and Seminary

A new seminary model revolutionizing theological education. A new seminary dean. Growing undergraduate programs in ministry both on campus and in Akron, Ohio. The largest completed fundraising campaign in Grace's history. And yet, the same mission since 1937. Join us as we reflect on our legacy and envision our future at Grace College & Theological Seminary.

$10.00

Lunch on Tuesday with Encompass World Partners

Encompass - You’re invited to join Encompass World Partners for "Taco Tuesday" lunch as we celebrate God’s work around the globe.

$12.00

Pastors and Wives Dinner on Tuesday (Price per couple)

We want to encourage and honor our pastors and their wives and to make sure we accomplish that goal, we’ve asked some wives to help us plan a special evening. Ticket prices have been reduced for our members and their wives as a way to thank you for all you do. If you purchase this ticket you do not need to purchase an additional ticket for your wife.

$25.00

Pastors Dinner on Tuesday (Price per person)

We want to encourage and honor our pastors and their wives and to make sure we accomplish that goal, we’ve asked some wives to help us plan a special evening. Ticket prices have been reduced for our members as a way to thank you for all you do.

$15.00

Breakfast on Wednesday with Grace Connect

This may be the most important breakfast you attend all week! Learn how you can stay connected with other pastors, leaders, and churches in the Charis Fellowship through the platforms of GraceConnect and the Brethren Missionary Herald Company. Enjoy yummy food and sweet fellowship while getting the latest scoop on GraceConnect and BMH Books!

$10.00

Church Planting Luncheon on Wednesday

Let's celebrate the mosaic of church planting happening in the Charis Fellowship.

$12.00

Dinner on Wednesday with Grace Brethren Investment Foundation and our Military Chaplains

Please join us for dinner on Wednesday to celebrate all that God is doing through Grace Brethren Investment Foundation and the Eagle Commission. Ken Seyfert (CEO) and his Executive Team will briefly share the past year’s results of the foundation. Following, Dr. Mark Penfold (Chaplain Endorsing Agent for Charis) and his wife, Robin, will lead ceremonies for the Chaplains Appreciation Dinner.

$15.00

Breakfast on Thursday with CE National

Join us for breakfast to hear and see reports of how God has been working through ministries like the Urban Hope Training Center—in both Philadelphia and Los Angeles, Momentum Youth Conference, Operation Barnabas, City Life and more. There will also be a time during this breakfast for the annual CE National Corporation Meeting. You won’t want to miss out! (limited quantity subsidized tickets are available).

$10.00

Lunch on Thursday for Charis Fellowship

This is the annual meeting of the Charis Fellowship (aka: Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, Inc). Delegates of member churches are encouraged to attend. All are welcome to attend. Delegates without tickets can attend the meeting 15 minutes after the meal begins.

$10.00

Tom Avey

Tom has been the full-time Fellowship Coordinator since January 1998. He served as pastor at the Grace Brethren Church of Orlando, Fla., and as church administrator and pastor of church growth at the Grace Brethren Church of Lititz, Pa. He and his wife, Sandi, reside in Winona Lake, Ind. They have four adult children and eight grandchildren.

Jordan Bakker

Jordan Bakker is the Lead Pastor of Grace Church in Simi Valley, CA. He first joined the staff as Pastor of Young Adults in the summer of 2004. He has a deep love for God and His Word and has a passion to make Christ known. In 2009, Jordan assumed responsibility over adult ministries at Grace and in 2012 he accepted the role of Lead Pastor. His desire is to see individuals grow in their understanding of who they are in Christ and what it looks like to live by active faith in a post-modern culture, as well as training men and women to be sent as workers in the harvest. Married to Erin since 2001, the couple makes their home in Simi Valley and are avid lovers of sports, Starbucks, and anything involving people. Jordan and Erin have been blessed with three amazing and beautiful girls, Morgan, Brenna and Luci.

Jeff Bogue

Jeff Bogue is a graduate of Grace College and Theological Seminary. He is the senior pastor of Grace Church of Greater Akron, Ohio, a thriving multi-campus, multi-site, Charis Fellowship congregation of nine sites, with more than 10,000 people calling Grace Church their home.

Grace Church is not your typical mega church. It is a church-planting network, active in their evangelical mission of “30 in 30”: planting 30 campuses in 30 years. Jeff leads an excellent team to raise up pastors and leaders to staff future campuses. He counts it a privilege to work alongside this staff as well as Grace College in the development of these young leaders.

Jeff has served at Grace with his wife, Heidi, since 1993. His proudest titles are that of husband and father to six children. He loves working alongside his family to express God’s love all over the world.

Dr. Bogue is the author of the books: 5 Assumptions About God and Why They Are Wrong, ReSet: Why Discipleship Isn’t About Trying Harder, Living Naked: How an Ordinary Person Can Live an Extraordinary Life, and the One Step Discipleship Journals. Jeff also travels nationally and abroad speaking and training ministry leaders. He is motivated by his deep passion for the local church and strong conviction of how Christ continues to work through His church to build His kingdom.

Jeff is the main speaker during the Wednesday evening celebration.

Sharmion Bowell

Sharmion Bowell is a Grace College Business graduate who managed a Human Resource department for 4 years before she and her husband Ryan, of 23 years, began a family in 1999. They have four kids Cameron (20), Austin (18), Madeline (16) and Aidan (14). She loved being a full-time mom for the first 19 years and home-schooled her kids for 9 years. She attends Winona Lake GBC and has worked in ENL for the last 4 years. Sharmion serves the national office of the Charis Fellowship as Operations Manager and oversees registrations and much more at Access2019.

Jason Brown

Jason has been Pastor at Suntree Grace Church in Melbourne, FL since 2012. He is married to Andrea for 21 years and they have four children: Fletcher, Harper, Langley, and Greta. Jason has been a part of either planting, revitalizing, or sending pastors to a total of six churches in the state of Florida. He is working on two new church plants in the greater Melbourne area. Jason enjoys spending time with family, and surfing, which is usually one and the same.

Jeremy Bury

Jeremy and his wife, Terra, moved to Marysville in 2007 from Georgia where they had been serving as lay leaders in their church worship team. At the time, they had not been looking to move, but, when approached about the worship pastor position here at Marysville Grace, they knew it was what God wanted for them. Jeremy grew up in Maryland, close to the Chesapeake Bay. Since his family was very musical, he learned early on to use his gift in music to worship God. He attended Grace College and graduated with his B.A. in Communications and Youth Ministry. Here he also met and married Terra. They now have four growing children. For a few years, Jeremy ventured into the world of business, learning many skills that are now very helpful in his current role - people management, budget, and finance. To be even better equipped to serve and lead in the Church, Jeremy also received further ministry training by completing his Masters in Local Church Ministry through Grace Theological Seminary. In his years here, Jeremy has been intentional in forming relationships and building and encouraging leaders. His greatest joy is found in leading people to know and follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Jeremy serves as the Celebrations coordinator at Access2019.

Tim Clothier

Tim and his college sweetheart Carrie have four children. Allegra, Adelaide, Toban, and Tucker. Their family loves being active, outside, and enjoying what God has created. For nearly five years Tim has served as the Senior Pastor of Waynesboro Grace (Waynesboro PA) and is constantly amazed by God's grace and mercy.

Terese Coburn

Terese has served as a Children's Ministry director for over 20 years, and also directed Child Evangelism Fellowship for 5 years. She has been the Children's Director at Auburn Grace Community Church for the last 4 years. Terese is married with 4 children, 2 grandchildren, and one on the way. She is very passionate that all kids know they have a heavenly Father who loves them and that they are given the tools to grow in their faith and have a firm spiritual foundation.

Clancy Cruise

In 2002, Clancy and his wife, Sandy, moved with their four kids from Wooster, OH, to Marysville to begin a new church plant for the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. This was one small step of faith that God has used to impact the city of Marysville in huge way. When Clancy came to know the Lord at age 19, his pastor began to encourage him towards preaching and pastoring. He soon began his formal training at Cedarville College (B.S. in Comprehensive Bible), where he met his wife, Sandy, followed by Grace Theological Seminary (Masters of Divinity). He returned to his hometown of Wooster to serve on the pastoral staff at Wooster Grace. After 10 years on staff and much prayer, Clancy was persuaded by Pastor Ed Jackson from Grace Church Powell to plant a church in Marysville. Through his years of ministry, Clancy’s passion remains being able to see people learn the gospel – praying a prayer that changes them from the inside out – grow in Christ-like love, then share that hope and love with others. He enjoys creating teams and seeing them be strong in their love, work, and witness. And he enjoys being challenged to use his God-given gifts of leadership, teaching, encouragement, discernment, and hospitality to serve others. Clancy has served as the Executive Director of the Charis Fellowship since August 2016 and is the Access2019 director.

Dan Gregory

Dan Gregory is the Lead Campus Pastor at Grace Church - Akron in Norton Ohio.

Tom Leatherman

Tom has been a member of Wooster Grace church 20+ years. He is involved in the oil change ministry and the Friends & Followers ABF. Tom is a member of 555 Honors Detachment: giving honors to the military at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery and other cemeteries in the area plus flag presentations at local parades. He enjoys Cleveland Indians games and Akron University. Tom has been serving Charis Fellowship conference at the registration table and in any way as needed! Tom especially enjoy meeting the Military Chaplain’s serving our church and country. Tom and MaryJane spend the winter months in Tybee Island, GA!! Mary Jane and Tom have been married for 50 years have two children and four grandchildren. Tom and his wife Mary Jane serve at the welcome center during Access2019.

Mary Jane Leatherman

Mary Jane Leatherman is married to Tom and lives in Rittman, OH. The Leatherman's have been a member of Wooster Grace for more than 20 years. Mary Jane is involved with Women’s ministry, and the Friends & Followers ABF. She enjoys anything that involves grandchildren, reading & knitting (traveled to Italy on knitting tour!), she volunteers at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman and has been serving the Charis Fellowship conference for 7 years. Tom and MaryJane spend the winter months in Tybee Island, GA!! Mary Jane and Tom have been married for 50 years have two children and four grandchildren. Mary Jane and her husband Tom serve at the welcome center during Access2019.

Daniel O'Kane

Daniel was born in New Zealand. Over the years, Daniel became successful in sports, and this success helped him travel the world. But even with all the love and success he experienced, he always knew there was more. It was not until the Gospel of Jesus was laid out in front of Daniel, through relationships and through spoken words, that he came to know and understand what this “more” truly was. Since that time, Daniel has enjoyed a fulfilling relationship with God. Through the turns and lessons of life, Jessica, and Daniel were led to Marysville, where Daniel began a full-time internship at Marysville Grace. This internship involved an intense study in a seminary program to receive a Masters while, at the same time, experiencing full-time pastorate duties. Halfway through this internship, Daniel and Jessica understood that God was calling them to lead a church campus in Bellefontaine. After finishing the internship the church family at Marysville Grace, the elders, and staff allowed Daniel to follow God’s calling. Daniel is now the Campus Pastor of BGC (Bellefontaine Grace Church). BGC began a once-a-month Sunday meeting in September 2016, then every week Sunday meetings in April 2017. They have seen steady growth and are excited to see the Bellefontaine community respond to the church family and the Lord. John 1:4-5 is the verse which drives their vision. It states, “In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not understood it.” God has given us a light to shine in the darkness of peoples' hearts.

Mike Sciarra

Mike has pastored Grace Orange since 2006. He married Angela in 1991 and they have five children and one grandchild. He attended Talbot Seminary (MDiv., Bible Exposition, 1989; DMin., Family Ministry, 2000) and is currently a DMin. candidate at The Master's Seminary. He loves hiking, biking, fishing, and garage sales. He has been in pastoral ministry since 1985 and most of all loves to preach God’s Word and see Jesus transform lives. Mike speaks during the Thursday morning celebration.

Phil Sparling

Phil is Senior Pastor at Grace Community Church, Auburn Calif. This church was launched by three families (one of which was Phil's parents) and now welcome 700 people to worship each Sunday. Phil and Ruth have four young-adult children. Phil is the host pastor for Access2019 and will serve as Executive Director of the Charis Fellowship starting August 2019.

Isaac Whiting

Pastor Isaac grew up in western Washington. His family was not religious and he lived a typical secular existence. He tried to deal with the emptiness of life by devoting himself to one pursuit or person after another. In university he dove deep into the study of philosophy, thinking this would give some answers and meaning to life. The result was first depression and then a pursuit of world religions. Though many people were involved, especially through prayer, he gave his life to Christ one day while reading the Bible alone in his room. God showed him in a dramatic way that Jesus is the truth. In his last year of university, during an all-night prayer meeting, Isaac felt a strong call to preach and to teach. The next year he married Amber and they moved to Vancouver to attend Regent College. They found a church home and true family at a Baptist church in Vancouver where Isaac worked as the Youth Pastor and then Associate pastor for over ten years. In September 2016 he began serving as Campus Pastor at Community of Hope. Isaac likes to fix things, especially cars. He runs and sings a lot. Amber sings, even more, homeschools their four boys and finds joy in practicing hospitality.

Jeremy Wike

Jeremy serves as Senior Pastor at Community of Hope Church in rural Columbia City, IN. He grew up in the Wooster, OH Charis Fellowship Church and attended Grace College and Seminary. He loves listening to people tell their stories and sojourning with people on their faith journeys. His church is passionate about helping the lost, broken, and wounded find hope and healing in Jesus and committed to developing leaders who rise to their full potential in Christ. Jeremy and his wife, Tonya, have been married for 15 years and have adopted six kids. He believes the greatest opportunity and threat to the spread of the gospel in this generation is in our willingness to follow Jesus and lead others to Him with a limp.

Bob Wriedt

Pastor Bob has been at Grace since 2006. In addition to preaching in the Sunday worship services, he leads our leadership development program and serves as head of staff. He is a graduate of UCLA (B.A. in History, Political Science, and Religious Studies), Talbot School of Theology (M.Div., Th.M.) and is currently a DMin student at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and Becca have been married for 14 years and have two sons and two dogs. He plays ice hockey in a local adult league, and enjoys following UCLA sports.

Tuesday Morning at 9:30 with Mike Yoder

Tuesday Evening at 7:00 with Jeff Bogue

Wednesday Evening at 7:00 with Nick Cleveland

Thursday Evening at 7:00 with Scott Feather