Important News Release!

Dear Central Region Ministers and Leaders:

We trust that you are living out your faith with hope and love! We want to let you know that at our May 2022 Central Region board meeting we unanimously agreed to send Bruce and Robin Pfadenhauer on a sabbatical. To be clear, this is not in reaction to a problem or concern. Rather, Bruce and Robin have completed 12 years as regional directors and we believe it is right to provide a sabbatical for their rest and refreshment and a proactive measure to help them carry the heavy mantle of leading our region with vision and passion. Bruce and Robin will begin their sabbatical on March 1, 2023 through Sunday, April 9, 2023.

Here is the contact information for issues and needs that arise during their sabbatical:

Under what circumstances will Bruce and Robin be available?

  • Death of a minister or spouse in the region
  • Legal or catastrophic issue that the board believes their input is needed

Who will handle church or leadership issues that arise?

  • District Directors in their respective district
  • Ministry Directors as follows:

NOW Church Health/re.fresh       Mark Hornback 641-777-6844

NEXT Gen Leaders                        Ben & Lola Carlson 719-225-9828/719-440-8040

NEW Church Plants                       Kevin Starkey 515-202-8776

Open Bible College                       Kevin Starkey 515-202-8776

  • Regional Board, as needed, with Andy Hansen serving as chair pro tem

Who is the primary point of contact?

Office staff 515-282-6491 (during office hours)

To fully maximize their sabbatical, we want Bruce and Robin to have a complete break. To this end, they will  not be available for any ministry or job-related issues in person, by phone, email or messaging.

Thank you for your ministry in the Central Region. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Blessings,

Open Bible Central Board:

Nicole Miller               At-Large                      nicole@waverlylife.com                     319-290-3254

Ricardo Ponce            At-Large                      ricardoponce2010@live.com             712-301-6207

Andy Hansen              IL/WI Director             nesnah6@comcast.net                       815-549-7131

Jaccie Kenyon             NE IA/MN Director     jaccie57@hotmail.com                       641-640-0575

Doug Harris                SE IA Director              pastordoug@pellaopenbible.com      641-230-1301

Randy Richards          South Director            rrichards@obpraisecenter.com         660-537-0665

Jaccie Kenyon (Interim) West IA Director      jaccie57@hotmail.com                       641-640-0575

Darrick Young             National Board            darrick@journeydsm.com                  515-360-8162

Other Central Region News

PASTOR RESOURCE

Steve and Jan Mathews, local ministers with Blended Families/Family Life, shared a great resource for parents of prodigals called Hope for Hurting Parents https://hopeforhurtingparents.com/

HOST ONE OF OUR MISSIONARIES

Linda Wilson, OBC missionary to India, will be available for itineration in Central Region. Please contact Kimberly Veenstra at kimberly@openbiblecentral.org to schedule Linda for a visit at your church.

Congratulations

Join me in welcoming the following individuals who have received credentials with Open Bible Churches since our November 2022 Open Bible Central board meeting:

Bill Barrett, Ordination, retired in Liberty, MO

Terry Dreyer, Basic, elder in Boonville, MO

Ed Dutton, Ordination, Lead Pastor in Lacon, IL

Jonathan Eck, Basic, Family Life Pastor at First Church in Des Moines, IA

Ashley Foreman, Certified, Children’s Pastor at First Church in Des Moines, IA

Caleb Fritz, Basic, serving at First Church in Des Moines, IA

Jose Jassiel Perez, Certified, serving at Journey Church in Loves Park, IL

Natalia Rupe, Certified, serving at Iowa Falls, IA

Maria Spoto, Certified, serving at The Refinery, Eden, WI

Kennedy Walker, Basic, Youth Pastor in Boonville, MO

Comfort

Rev. Larry D. Belt Sr., Vince Belt’s father, passed away on January 7, 2023. Funeral services were held Tuesday, January 10. Here is the link to his obituary.

Rev. Barb Kelderman, Open Bible missionary, Bible College staff member, and Central Region secretary to the Regional Executive Director for 21 years, passed away on January 7th in Des Moines, IA. Memorial service was held Friday, January 13, 2023 in Des Moines, IA. Here is a link to her obituary. Barb is the mother of Debbie (Mark) Culham of Cedar Rapids, IA and Tim (Julie) Kelderman of Omaha, NE.

Rev. Robert “Bob” Marsden of Hollister, MO, an Open Bible credentialed minister who pastored in East Region and relocated to Missouri after retirement, passed away on January 15, 2023. His memorial service will be held on February 4, 2023, in Forsyth, MO. Here is a link to his obituary.