SR September 2015
19
So, a year has passed since I stepped forward and took my gavel from
retiring Conference President Steven James. Much has happened. I‘ve
traveled to over two dozen churches, met with eight Associations, written
a year’s worth of SR articles, learned more about being “steadfast” and
Seventh Day Baptist, etc. It’s been…fantastic! God has blessed me and
my family this past year.
But the time has come to prepare for a new theme and a new President.
I pray for God’s blessings on Rev. Dr. Kenneth Chroniger and his family
as they begin their year of sharing and visiting. But, as I go – and truly all
things must pass, including the President’s gavel – I want to say thank
you to everyone who made this year a special one. So, thank you. Here
are some highlights from my week at Conference:
•Having my son bring the first message of the week.
• Enjoying 8-minute messages throughout the week: whether that
be spoken, played, or displayed; especially getting to see my wife
present an 8-minute message (see that message in this issue!), and
her getting to be the first to call me an idiot for the week...and that’s
all right!
• Playing softball with longtime friends – and their children: a new
Conference experience I enjoyed.
• Survey says…playing host to 10 different Family Feud teams!
• The Friday night praise lifted up by a bus load (literally) of NYC SDB
choir members who came to support their pastor and help usher in
the Sabbath.
• Leading the business session without too many gaffes (thank you
Parliamentarian Camenga!).
• Just sitting back and being in awe of how Rev. Dave Bailey Sr. from
Ranch Hope can take over a room while never getting off his sermon’s
message that told us to “Settle Down!”
• Spending the week with my good friend Mark Hamilton, who came
all the way from Lithuania to share with us, and hearing how blessed
he was to have come (and wanting to return sometime!).
• And maybe the moment of the week: seeing the Toronto Bible Quiz
team all but literally pull an answer out of their teammate to finish
the quiz!
Thank you again for a memorable week. If you were blessed half as
much as I was, you were truly blessed! I look forward to seeing everyone
at Conference 2016.
In the meantime, if you need me, you’ll have to catch me…
All things must pass…
SR
