New Servant Center Dedication & International Convention
was inspiring and attended by hundreds.
Videos of Dedication & Convention
Dedication of new Servant Center
Friday’s Dedication Service, Ceremony and reception was attended by nearly 400 people, some as far away as California and Maryland! There was recognition of many key people instrumental with the history and growth of OGT. OGT’s President Pastor Ray Wilke spoke and was given a standing ovation for his vision & dedication to Orphan Grain Train. Many businesses and individuals involved with the vision and construction of the new Servant Center were able to share about the experience. The late Clayton Andrews, OGT’s CEO, was instrumental since the early years of OGT and was remembered with having his commemorative quilted ties & photo displayed.
Orphan Grain Train International Convention 2024
Convention was held at Midtown Event Center in Norfolk, NE and attended by 300 people. Several of OGT’s locations had representatives that were inspired with listening to speakers of how OGT has changed many lives in their area of the world. We were able to hear about Hannah House orphanage in Russia, how aid to Ukraine has helped many families devastated by war and enduring cold weather with little to no food and also how aid has assisted families in the country of Georgia. Locally, we were inspired by OGT’s first mission trip which included Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska football players repairing two roofs for families in Oklahoma. There was a special recognition of several individuals that have been instrumental with OGT for many dedicated years and for special missions. We were blessed with 56 beautiful handcrafted quilts that were auctioned off to raise more than $13,000.00 for families recovering from record floods in Iowa. What an inspiring day with fellowship shared with others and all the Glory is given to God!
First photo is of speaker Vitaliy Smolin with ‘Open Door Foundation’ in Ukraine. Next is L-R: Former Castle Rock Collection Center Coordinator Garry Fuller, Wisconsin Branch Manager Cathy Robinson & former Maryland Branch Manager Elfie Eberle. 3rd photo is Chris Carstens, OGT’s Director of Domestic Shipping and Inventory Manager/International Shipping with speaker Irakli Saralidze from Republic of Georgia. And last photo is the crowd at Midtown Event Center.
(Photos taken June 1, 2024 by Davis Design)
Breaking ground started in June of 2023 along with many electrical poles being taken down around the site so that cables can be put underground. After the ground was prepared, the structural beams were being put in place and soon the walls were being attached. The grain bins even got a face lift with fresh paint.
Click the button below to see more of the construction in phases.