What a fantastic weekend. The second annual SDB Emerging Leaders Gathering took place in Janesville, WI from October 25 to 27. Young adult leaders representing thirteen Seventh Day Baptist Churches from four North American time zones spent the weekend sharpening one another’s call to mission in the local church, in surrounding communities, in the SDB General Conference, and to the ends of the earth.
The theme of the weekend focused on “Who is Missing?” We looked through three main lenses. 1) Who is missing that is near to me? 2) Who is missing that is different than me? 3) Am I missing from leadership roles that God is calling me to?
Pastor Glen Warner (Keynote Speaker) and Helen Goodrich (SCSC) among SDB Emerging Leaders at the SDB Center.
Throughout the weekend, we circled around opportunities for leadership leveraging. What I mean by leadership leveraging has to do with who the emerging leaders are—they are already serving as leaders in the present. At the same time, they are emerging in the sense of having the capacity for increasing influence and Kingdom impact as they continue to faithfully serve God. Simply put, we are blessed as Seventh Day Baptists to have a dynamic group of young leaders who are already leading, and poised to increase that capacity all the more.
Weekend Activities
Nick Kersten (Director of Education and History) and Miriam Berg (SDB Missionary Society Director of Advancement and Operations) shaped the weekend into an experience that fostered participant collaboration and engagement alongside great presentations. Our keynote speaker was Pastor Glen Warner, who has broad lifetime experiences that includes serving as an SDB Pastor, business man, civic leader, supply pastor, and much more. Pastor Glen shared the importance of being mentored and serving as a mentor. The ensuing questions and feedback by Emerging Leaders generated very practical steps to put our SDB Vision Map into practice.
We joined the Milton SDB Church for worship Friday evening where Pastor (and SDB Director) John Pethtel led a service of worship and healing. On Sabbath Day, we participated in Milton SDB’s Heritage Sabbath worship service, focusing on the theme of “Building a Spiritual House” (1 Peter 2:4-5).
Pastor Nick Kersten presenting at the SDB Center in Janesville, WI.
On Sabbath day we participated in guided tours of the Milton House. This setting chronicles SDB activity in the Underground Railroad and community-shaping activity that flows from convictions. Jim Lyke (Milton SDB Church) led the tours which highlight the impact that SDB leaders have had when “noticing who is missing.”
Our sessions on Sabbath day were held at the SDB Center in Janesville, WI. This was the first time that many of the emerging leaders have been inside the Center, which provided the added benefit of sharing our SDB missional identity.
On Sunday, SDB Emerging Leader Denovia McKenzie (Open Arms SDB, Toronto Canada) shared her recently published book along with practical insights for leading well. As we concluded, there was an invitation to engage all the more in the missional work of SDBs while participating in SDB leadership development opportunities. Opportunities such as local church ministry, SCSC, SDB Missionary Society work, and internships coordinated by the SDB General Conference were highlighted.
Thank You
We are so grateful for generous ministry partners who have given financial gifts to make the ongoing work of the SDB Emerging Leaders Gathering possible. The Rev. Alton L. and Ethel Wheeler Leadership Development Fund was created in memory of a couple who shaped, equipped, and mobilized a significant number of SDB leaders. Just as the Wheelers discipled and mentored many emerging leaders, the Fund is being used to prepare our current and next generations of SDB ministry leaders.
SDB Executive Director Carl Greene with Emerging Leaders (October 25-27, 2024).
There is more great news to share. We are increasingly utilizing the space at the SDB Center in Janesville, WI for events like the Emerging Leaders gathering. The SDB Center has served us well for over 40 years as a home 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 partnering in this incredible season of ministry opportunity. Thank you for continuing to invest in today and the future.
- A specific thank you to SDB Emerging Leader (and SDB Intern) Lexia Stall for providing the pictures for this blog.
