The smell of local cooking drifted through the halls of First Brethren Oak Hill, West Virginia, as we gathered for this year’s Southeast Annual Meeting. We decided to try something different this time around. We set aside the usual stacks of reports and structured breakout sessions, choosing instead to leave the schedule open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We wanted to see what happens when a group of people simply focuses on being a relational community.
The day was anchored by stories. One of our musicians shared from the heart, followed by Simon Flint, who challenged us to live “tight” with Jesus and stay sensitive to the Spirit’s nudge. That closeness set the tone for the rest of the afternoon. We gathered around Pastor Mike Meadows to anoint him, and the room grew quiet as we moved through the crowd to pray over every congregation, pastor, and staff member in our region.
We moved into a three-fold communion, using our lunch as a shared love feast. There is something powerful about watching two people who may have been total strangers that morning kneeling to wash one another’s feet. That bond of Christ made the room feel smaller, more like a family dinner than a formal meeting. Afterward, we sat back to listen as Miles Larson, Jack Radcliffe, Sara Moore, and Scott Soden shared what God was doing in their own lives and ministries.
Our brothers and sisters at Oak Hill went above and beyond to make us feel at home. In true Southern fashion, they “had us over” with enough food that if anyone left hungry, it was their own fault. They didn’t just feed our bellies; they provided the space for us to worship and connect.
It wasn’t a small trek for everyone. People traveled over mountains and through the woods to get here—102 of us in total, including more than 35 youth. Seeing the next generation so well-cared for by the Oak Hill team was a highlight of the day. We walked away feeling like a blessed people, grateful for the chance to gather in His name.
If you weren’t able to make it to Oak Hill, our next regional gathering will be this July at General Conference. We’ll see you there—and for those who were asking about the RLT shirts, we’ll have Southeast shirts available soon.
Respectfully Submitted,
Gail Heiston
Pastor, Bethlehem Brethren Church
Southeast Regional Resource Coordinator
