Feb
26
In 2005 a handful of pastors in the central Ohio area began meeting informally at the Panera Bread at Easton. The purpose of these monthly meetings was simply to spend time together in fellowship and share ministry blessings and burdens.
Over time the meetings grew more structured in that discussion topics or texts were chosen and the conversation more directed. In addition, the handful of attendees felt a growing responsibility to reach out to other likeminded pastors and churches that may lack significant fellowship and a sense of partnering in ministry.
During the course of these events, two significant conferences were held in the broader evangelical world — Together for the Gospel (T4G) and The Gospel Coalition (TGC). Upon reading the documents that grew out of these events, the small group meeting in Columbus found a commonality of theology and philosophy of ministry. It was decided to use these documents as part of a foundational structure in order to build a “Gospel Coalition” in the greater Columbus area, hence the moniker, The Greater Columbus Gospel Coalition, or GC2 (“GC Squared”).
On June 4 of this year GC2 will sponsor an event called “For the Sake of the Gospel” at Grace Bible Church in Canal Winchester. We have invited Alistair Begg of Parkside Church in Cleveland to speak to church leadership teams in the afternoon and our gathered congregations in the evening. The focus of this gatherings will be glorying in the gospel, seeking its creative dissemination in the greater Columbus area, and engaging our world for the sake of the gospel and the furtherance of the Kingdom of God in a manner that is consistent with a Christian worldview that seeks the welfare of the city (already) in which we live here as exiles (not yet).
You can learn more about GC2 here. You can learn more about the event here. This is GC2’s first event; we are in our infancy. But we trust God will use our efforts for his glory.
Really cool to hear this group has grown into what will surely be a blessing to many in the Columbus area. I like the logo too!
Thanks, Randa! Fun days ahead. Your blessing on the logo is especially valued. A student in Piper’s school and former resident of central Ohio is doing the work for us.
@Brenden: Randa’s approval is high praise.