President's Post
May 2020
We have held our Gulf States Office open during this challenging time. I’m trusting that all of our staff are taking the protocols seriously and keeping themselves and others as safe as possible. I want all of you to know that we have the best office staff possible. You know, in the great Advent Movement, people come and go. But we have held steady and continue to be able to hire quality people as openings come up. God is good to GSC.
We’ve been holding meetings with our pastors on Wednesday’s at 9:00 AM through Zoom. These have proven to be very valuable to us staying connected with our Pastors. Each week they share how they are attempting to stay connected with their congregations. It is a time that encourages all of us as we share together. I don’t believe our pastors can do any more than they are doing during the time of COVID-19. So, it might be nice to send your pastor a little card saying thank you for his effort to keep the church together. Maybe put $5.00 in it so he can stop and get something at the gas station. (Just a thought)
There will be no camp meetings for just this year, and Bass graduation is postponed until the end of July. Our dear Academy has been hit hard with the school closure as well as our elementary schools. I am truly amazed at the effort our principals and teachers are making to close out this school year on a high note. I genuinely applaud all of them for doing above and beyond what is expected of our employees.
It just feels surreal to me at this time of the year that we are so closed up. Hard for me to fathom sometimes. But I do know our Lord is in control, and we’ll come out of this stronger than when COVID-19 began. Here in the South, we are a determined group, and God will bless this attitude and commitment.
I’ve not been out on Sabbath for almost two months. Never in my 32 years of pastoral ministry have I not been in a church for more than one Sabbath. I really miss church. For me, it’s the interaction with our congregations and hearing a moving message. I love Adventist preaching, and I think we have some of the top preachers in our country right now. I stream a number of our churches on Sabbath morning, and I’ve been watching It Is Written with John Bradshaw. That is so well done! As many times as I’ve shared that message, every time I hear it, I learn something new.
Brian Danese recently got out and spoke from the top of a playground slide to a parking lot full of cars listening on their FM radios. After being at Floral Crest, Brian came back to the office, all stoked and excited for the opportunity he had.
Martin Fancher was in Mobile, where their Hispanic Company was turned into a Church. Martin does such a good job supporting and helping the Spanish work in our conference. Again, helping out where ever it is needed is Martins’s way of life.
I got out on Wednesday and visited with Pastor Mills in Huntsville and our new pastor Vlad Climaco and his wife Pam at Decatur-Cullman. Both visits were a blessing to my heart.
Many have asked about our youth camp. Ranger Todd has been bringing a Sabbath morning message from camp all during the time of COVID-19. You can watch those at www.gscsda.org/youtube or www.facebook.com/CampAlamisco. As far as holding summer camp this year, we are making that decision on June 2nd. At the same time, we will also decide whether or not to hold our annual prayer conference, which typically takes place in August.
Until next month,
Dave
Office of the President
Email: admin@gscsda.org
Website: gscsda.org
Location: 10633 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL, USA
Phone: 3342727493
Facebook: facebook.com/gulfstatesconference
Twitter: @gscsda