On this past Feast of Trumpets, Sept. 21, 2017, three new elders were ordained into the ministry. Lomax Morris and his wife, Marcia Blair, serve in the New York City congregation. Tim Seelig and his wife, Terry, serve in the Austin, Texas, congregation. Rob Slocum and his wife, Tina, serve in the Portland, Oregon, congregation.

In September, Craig Scott was named pastor of the congregation in Jacksonville, North Carolina, which had been pastored by Tom Adams. Mr. Scott also pastors the Raleigh and Greensboro, North Carolina, congregations.

In October, Aaron Creech was named pastor of the congregations in Bethlehem, Lewistown, and York, Pennsylvania. Mr. Creech and his wife, Whitney, had moved to the area two years ago to be trained by pastor Lee Cole. Mr. Cole retired from employment at the end of December.

In October, Ben Light was named interim pastor of the congregations in Salem, Eugene, and Roseburg, Oregon, following the death of pastor John Cafourek. Mr. Light has served as an elder in the Salem congregation since April 2015, with his wife, Shannon.

In November, Ron Barker was named pastor of the congregation in Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Barker worked as an assistant pastor for the congregation with his wife, Janet, for the previous 12 months while assisting pastor Len Martin. Mr. Martin continues to serve as pastor for the congregations in Cambridge, Columbus, and Mansfield, Ohio.

In December, Stan Erickson was named pastor of the congregations in Coleman and Waco, Texas. Mr. Erickson and his wife, Judy, recently relocated to the Coleman congregation, which had been pastored by Clyde Hubbard. Mr. Erickson also pastors the Waco congregation, previously pastored by Rod Foster. Mr. Foster continues to pastor the Austin and San Antonio, Texas, congregations.

At the beginning of January, Paul Moody was named pastor of the congregations in Spokane, Kennewick, and Kettle Falls, Washington, and Lewiston, Idaho. Mr. Moody worked as an assistant pastor for the congregations with his wife, Darla, for the previous six years, assisting pastor Mark Mickelson. Mr. Mickelson retired from employment at the end of December.