SAGINAW — On Tuesday, Oct. 28, Bishop Robert D. Gruss hosted pastors from other faith communities in the region, as well as local priests, for an ecumenical gathering focused on the need for Christians and Christian leaders across denominations to share the gospel in compelling and attractive ways – especially in a culture that is increasingly less supportive of the Christian faith. The event was held at the diocesan Center for Ministry.
The theme of the gathering was “Sharing the Kerygma in an Apostolic Age.” Kerygma is a Greek word that refers to the first and essential proclamation of the gospel message. After an opening prayer, Bishop Gruss offered a reflection based on the book, From Christendom to Apostolic Mission, recognizing that the Church urgently needs to shift from a maintenance mode to a mission mode since we have now returned to times that are similar to the age of the apostles when evangelization was the priority. This includes sharing the kerygma in impactful ways.
Three speakers shared how they fruitfully present the kerygma in their own ministries: Pastor Chris Pryor from Victorious Believers Ministries in Saginaw; Pastor Weldon Townsend from Shield of Faith Ministries in Shields; and Fr. Adam Maher, who serves as the Rector at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw.
After a time of fellowship, Bishop Gruss then shared the first video of the Acts XXIX Rescue Project series which presents the kerygma in a compelling way. After the viewing, Father Pete Gaspeny shared that at his parish, Holy Spirit Parish in Shields, the series has been very well received using a small group format, with approximately 150 parishioners being impacted.
Before she ended the meeting with a prayer, Pastor Joyce Seals of The New Christ Community Church in Saginaw said that the four words which The Rescue Project uses to sum up the history of salvation in the bible are ones she will incorporate when she teaches Sunday school: created, captured, rescued, response.
Bishop Gruss concluded his remarks by inviting pastors to consider using the Rescue Project series in their own faith communities, explaining that it is free to use and accessible here.