The East Ridge Ministerial Association relaunched on February 23 with six area pastors from six different East Ridge churches represented at our meeting. Prior to the meeting, three pastors had notified me saying that they wanted to be part of the association but were unable to make the meeting due to other obligations. That would give us nine pastors from the 32 churches that I am aware of within our city that want to participate in this association.  At the meeting we enjoyed lunch, got to know one another, and talked about our common interest as it pertains to ministering in this city. 

The East Ridge Ministerial Association will be a body of Christian ministers that reside or pastor in the East Ridge area that work together to help solve the growing problems in our community and city that we all hold in common.

Our next meeting will be at 12:30 p.m. on March 16 at Local Coffee. Local Coffee is located at 4104 Ringgold Rd. This meeting is for every pastor and minister serving or residing in East Ridge. If you are reading this and attend a church in East Ridge, please notify your local pastor to make sure that they are aware of this meeting. Lunch will be provided at no cost to every East Ridge pastor and minister in attendance.

 We will meet monthly to provide fellowship, encouragement, and collaboration on how we can best serve not only the spiritual needs of our community but the physical and social economic needs we see as well. As ministers we will cheer each other on, celebrate each other’s wins, and pray for one another’s needs. My hope is that every Christian minister regardless of differences in theology, doctrine, or denomination can say that we have more in common than the differences that often separate us and that we can work together to better our community and to represent Jesus well. These are words from my heart, but I believe Jesus would want His church to work together.

I hope to see more pastors join us on March 16. 

_ Pastor Daniel Beard