SDB General Council Update

Written by Carl Greene

October 23, 2024

Here is a great update from your SDB General Council, written by Pastor Steve Osborn of Frontier Church – Carbon Valley located in Dacono, CO. Thank you to the General Council for your steadfast work and this update!

From Pastor Steve: A few years ago, my church was invited to consider purchasing the building we are currently renting for services. Walking through the building envisioning new and different ways we could utilize the space fascinated me. Your General Council enjoyed a similarly fun experience this past weekend wandering the halls of the SDB Center in Janesville, WI. We observed what is there and what is not there; we remembered faithful SDBs who have gathered there over the years; we imagined what could be yet to come.

We held our fall in-person sessions at the SDB Center largely so we could spend time on Friday learning from and dreaming with most of the Core Directors team. They were able to share with us what they view as the most vital programs in their ministry areas for keeping Seventh Day Baptists active in advancing God’s kingdom together. Asking clarifying questions, sharing hopes and dreams, and praying together continued to foster the sense of teamwork among us, guided by the Holy Spirit. We are thankful to Carl Greene, Ron Ochs, Nick Kersten and John Pethtel for carving out time to allow this to happen. The Center provides a familiar, comfortable space that inspires this kind of creative collaboration.

Throughout the weekend, we used a variety of spaces around the Center to gather and make important decisions about grant applications, responding to action items assigned to us at the General Conference sessions, the 2025 SDB Conference budget proposal, job descriptions, looking forward to the Winter Virtual Delegates Forum, and much more. We missed long-time member, Pastor Ericessen Cooper, who had to step down from General Council in order to serve as President-Elect. We look forward to securing his replacement soon.

Being at the Center, Carl was able to describe ways we are able to utilize the space at the Center for events like the recent Vital Preaching and the upcoming Emerging Leaders gatherings, providing training for up-and-coming leaders within the Conference. He painted a picture to help us envision improvements that can be made to enhance our use of the space with which God has blessed us. The SDB Center has served us well for over 40 years as a home for our Executives, a secure spot to house our history and tell our story, a place for gathering, meeting, praying, and learning. With your help, we can provide the TLC and upgrades that will equip our Center building to continue to do so long into the future. We pray you will consider partnering with us financially in making these dreams a reality.

Matching Funds

The SDB Memorial Fund will match, dollar for dollar, any contribution made for this work up to a total $25,000. Simply put, your gift will be doubled. You can participate on-line by clicking on this matching fund challenge link. Please consider participating in this initiative to encourage SDB excellence through restoring the SDB Center for leadership training. If you prefer to send a check, please send your check payable to “Seventh Day Baptist General Conference” with “Fall 2024/Center Restoration” in the memo line. The mailing address is PO Box 1678; Janesville, WI 53547.

Thank you for allowing us to serve as your General Council,
Andrew, Erin, Maura, and Steve

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