Deacons and Deaconesses Gather for Training, Fellowship

Chesapeake Conference welcomed approximately 80 lay leaders to its headquarters on Dec. 3 for an afternoon of deaconship training.

The day’s seminars focused on helping attendees understand the vital ministry role of deacons and deaconesses in church life. John Rengifo, Ellicott City (Md.) lead pastor, spoke on caring for the church family, Eli Rojas, ministerial director, addressed safety issues, and Elvis Mogoi, West Wilmington (Del.) senior pastor, presented on the spiritual life of deacons and deaconesses.

Each attendee received a copy of the “Deacon and Deaconness Handbook.”

According to Rojas, the conference’s deaconship training events originally were held simultaneously with elder training but, because of strong attendance, have been spun out into separate events. Rojas says he appreciated how most attendees stuck around after the seminars ended to visit and encourage each other.