Much To Be Thankful For!
Greetings from Quesnel! Pastor Glatts and I will be of service to our church family here today. In our spiritual activities, we will share God’s Word, ordain two local church elders, and set some time aside for the study of the Scriptures in the afternoon. Please pray for the Quesnel Church family!
This morning, I was impressed to share some good news with you about God’s Work in our Conference:
1 – We had a very spiritual Pastors and Principals Meeting – Bible Conference – at Camp Hope from Sunday to Wednesday this week. In the spirit of alignment, we had all our School Principals together with our Pastors this time. We were blessed by the presence and presentations of four wonderful scholars: Dr. Elias de Souza (BRI Director), Dr. Alberto Timm (Ellen White Estate Associate Director), Dr. Ranko Stefanovic (New Testament Professor at Andrews University), and Dr. Carl Cosaert (Dean, Walla Walla University Theology School). All workers were inspired by the presentations and motivated to continue to work together as a team, together with our church members, to fulfill the Gospel Commission in our Conference.
2 – 212 souls were baptized or accepted by Profession of Faith in our Conference in 2018. That represents nearly 50% growth when compared with 2017 figures. I am convinced that, by God’s grace, we can reach more people with the salvation message in Jesus Christ when we work together as a team with our church members. During our meetings this week, our workers were positively encouraged to pray, set spiritual goals and work closely with their (our) congregations, and reach more souls for God’s Kingdom every year. Let’s make this a matter of prayer!
3 – In 2018, we experienced, by God’s grace, a tithe growth of 8.41% as compared to 2017. This was only possible because of God’s blessings and the generosity and faithfulness of our BC Conference members.
We thank God for these very positive numbers and our church members for their commitment to God’s Cause! Numbers are human indicators, but they serve as a reflection of our Heavenly Father’s blessings in the lives of His children. However, the more we get involved in God’s Work, through the dedicated and faithful use and “giving” of “our” temple (ourselves), time, talents, and treasures that He has bestowed upon us to administer for Him, the more His blessings will naturally flow in our lives. I do not believe in the prosperity theology — giving to be blessed — but that we give because we have already been blessed, as an act of worship and gratitude! We are stronger when we are willing to work together with God and among ourselves, all for His honor and glory! “If Christians were to act in concert, moving forward as one, under the direction of one Power, for the accomplishment of one purpose, they would move the world.” (EGW, 9T, 221)
Thank you, faithful workers and members of the BC Conference! We are moving forward, heaven is our goal. Jesus is coming soon to take us home!
Please find below the link for our beautiful stewardship video testimony for this month.
Burke – "The Bigger Picture Through Disappointment" from British Columbia Adventist on Vimeo.
Happy Sabbath!
In His Service,
Wesley Torres, D.Min.
President
