The Wisconsin Conference Executive Committee held their most recent meeting on Wednesday November 8, 2023 at the Wisconsin Conference Office. The meeting opened with a devotional thought by Lesa Budd, Conference Prayer Coordinator, who shared part of her testimony.
Following this, Titus Naftanaila, conference president, shared how the conference is fulfilling its mission through local church and conference ministries. He highlighted the baptisms taking place, local church outreach ministries as well as conference wide events. Naftanaila went on to discuss the projects at Camp Wakonda and the progress being made. He also shared enrollment statistics from Andrews University (AU) and Theological Seminary, stressing the importance of investing in our youth and encouraging our students to attend our Union university.
Executive Secretary/Treasurer, Amir Gulzar, shared with the committee the financial highlights for 2023 as well as a few items relating to employees. He also presented the baptism and membership transfers that have happened within the conference.
Ministerial Director, Adam Case, shared with the committee regarding the national pastoral shortage and how it is effecting the Wisconsin Conference. He also shared that although Wisconsin no longer has a paid evangelist, that salary has been divided to enable the conference to have two additional pastoral positions, one of which also focuses on evangelism. He went on to share a 3-year evangelist plan, encouraging proclamation evangelism, layperson evangelism and setting goals for baptism and membership.
Youth Director, Zack Payne, also gave his report regarding the ministry of the Youth Department including plans and events that are on the calendar for the coming year.
In addition to voting to accept these departmental reports, the committee also voted to approve the recommendation by the Camp Facilities Management Committee to construct a new Medical/First Aid building and renovate the Snack Shack space to be used as the new Camp Store.
The committee also met in Executive Session after which the meeting was adjourned. The next Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for February 28, 2024 at 9:30 am.
Laurella Case, Communication Coordinator