The Owensboro Magazine 2009

FAITH Ministering to Church Leaders By Dean Ehrenheim Gayle Erwin, left, motivates and entertains using humor mixed with deep spiritul truths during the annual Clergy Day luncheon. E ach year the Owensboro Family YMCA hosts the annual Clergy Appreciation Luncheon in October – Clergy Appreciation Month. The event began 13 years ago as a way to honor a group of men and women that are the spiritual leaders of our community. “These leaders carry a pretty heavy burden year round and we just think it is the right thing to do. A couple hours a year is so little, but I know it blesses them. It is the least we can do,” said Carol Adkins, organizer of the event for the past four years. “It’s presented as a gift to the clergy by the Owensboro Family YMCA Christian emphasis committee. Each year I wonder how we will top it the following year, but God always puts together such a great program.” Gayle Erwin of California-based Servant Quarters Ministry made his third appearance as key note speaker for the event in 2008. Gayle’s animated style, mixed with humor and deep spiritual truths is a favorite among the local clergy. “I don’t often get to speak to a room full of ministers,” he said. “Just think of the opportunities that affords me to help them get it right…seriously, I hope that they walk away refreshed and rejuvenated by the things I share.” Some other speakers have included Christian comedian Ken Davis, Focus on the Family’s H.B. London and contemporary Christian recording group Phillips, Craig and Dean. . For the past few years local caterer, Canteen–At Your Service has prepared the elegant lunch. Not only do they provide the meal, but they also help sponsor the event. “I believe the Y is doing a great thing blessing pastors from our community,” said JD Haase, Canteen’s vice president of operations. “I want Canteen to help support that kind of an effort.” After the meal, clergy have a chance to win door prizes. These donated items include prints, books, training guides and gift certificates. “I bet we give away 20 to 30 door prizes each year,” said John Clouse, a member of the YMCA board and Christian emphasis committee. “And those that don’t get a door prize all get a fresh loaf of bread from Great Harvest and a 50 percent off membership to the Y. After all that, we get to the meat of the program and introduce our speaker.” The luncheon seems to hit the mark. Reverend Jim Westmorland of Century Christian Church says, “The luncheon affirms and inspires me in my service. Let’s face it – we all need encouragement from time to time.” Ethan Lyne from Family Worship Center says the luncheon “ignites a passion in my heart to continue my ministry!” Susan Fenwick, children’s director at Bellevue Baptist Church, attended her fifth luncheon. “I think the word we get is different each year OWENSBORO 2009 and touches me in a different way each time,” she said. “It’s great to sit back and focus on Jesus and what he does for us.” The venue has changed over the years from hotel ball rooms and country clubs, to performing arts centers and college campuses – and for the first time in 2008, a church. “The YMCA is the perfect organization to host this, because we are non-sectarian.” said organizer Carol Adkins. “But that’s why we have always shied away from using churches as a location, being careful not to give the feeling of endorsing one denomination over another. However, Owensboro Christian Church has a new community room that seemed to work out perfectly.” J.P. Kwok, new Owensboro resident and worship minister at Bellevue Baptist Church, summed up his experience like this, “Jo – one of the church assistants – just came to me a couple weeks ago and told me that my wife and I were being taken to the annual clergy lunch by Nancy Ward, one of the choir members. Being brand new to Owensboro, I didn’t know anything about it. Where I came from…Springfield (Missouri) didn’t have anything like this. Moving to Owensboro has been great. I love being a pastor, but today I felt pastored.” ● 68

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Owensboro Magazine 2009

The Owensboro 2009 From our Chair Contents Buffalo Trace Brings History to Owensboro Environmental Education Blooms in the Garden Owensboro Arts and Cultural Events Making the Grade Building Opportunity In the Swim Economic Development through Placemaking Sister Cities brings International Benefits Embracing Innovation to spur Economic Development Creating a Pool of Skilled Workers Expanding Transportation Options One-Stop Business Licensing Robot Doctor Building a Locally-Based Food Economy Welcome to the Neighborhood Luxury Living on the River Moving In Trendy Excursions Evolves with the Times The Crème Brews Comfort Downtown Growing with the Community Family Business Boasts Longevity, Good Barbecue Entrepreneurial Spirit Comes Home Capturing the Broadway Market Ministering to Church Leaders Community at-a-Glance By the Numbers Dining & Catering Guide Advertiser Index

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