Several important events happened in the month of September:
The Youth Department and Hispanic Ministries organized the first Hispanic Master Guide Camporee at Camp Wakonda. It was a great success.
The Education Department organized Outdoor School at Camp Wakonda, for students in grades 5-6.
Pastors’ meeting, coordinated by Pastor Adam Case, was an opportunity to meet with our pastors and lay pastors and encourage each other to be faithful in our ministries. Bill Knott was the guest speaker. Several of us working at the office had reports and presentations as well.
Brian Stephan, John Ramsey, and I attended the Adventist Risk Management Conference. Numerous seminars and debates on minimizing the risk encouraged us to reevaluate how we do ministry in our churches, schools, and Camp Wakonda. A new Risk Management Committee at the conference level will have its first meeting soon.
I had the opportunity to join our Pathfinders at the Lake Union Conference (LUC) Camporee at Berrien Springs. Over 2500 pathfinders and visitors attended in person.
The Leadership Cohort just started this month. This program is intended to offer interested pastors an opportunity to sharpen their leadership and mentoring skills. A series of topics will be presented and discussed on Zoom monthly meetings.
Pastor Jonathan Fetrick, Geraldo Medina, and I attended the LUC Executive Committee Spiritual Retreat. LUC Officers and a guest speaker presented inspiring messages focusing on the “Together in Mission” theme for the year. An orientation was also given for the new Executive Committee members.
Wisconsin Academy Finance Committee approved a series of projects and activities at Wisconsin Academy.
The Executive Committee had its last meeting at the end of the four-year term. It was a very productive journey, despite all challenges, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. We are grateful for their dedication to the Lord and His church.
Staff Meeting offered the opportunity to review and vote on the departmental reports and to finalize the last details for a successful Constituency Meeting on October 16.
At the end of this quadrennial, we are grateful to God for His providence and care for His church in Wisconsin. I also want to thank our conference personnel, either at the office or in the field, for their faithfulness in ministry and for going the extra mile in serving God and people. All local church leaders and members did their part to bless their communities with their ministry of presence and hope for a better world now and when Jesus comes.
“Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.” Psalm 95:1-3
Titus Naftanaila, President