Another fantastic weekend. The third annual SDB Emerging Leaders Retreat took place in Janesville, WI from October 10 to 12. Young adult leaders representing 15 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.
Over 30 Emerging Leaders participated over the course of the weekend. The theme of the weekend focused on “Seven Day Christian Leaders.” We discussed leadership opportunities with the ‘church gathered’ as well as the ‘church scattered’ on mission throughout the week. The interactive weekend was planned and led by a dynamic team of Emerging Leaders: Melissa Brown, Joshua Coleman, Riesa Coleman, Isaac Floyd, Denovia Mckenzie, and Lexia Stall. A specific thank you to Joshua Coleman who coordinated the team and the retreat weekend through his role as an SDB intern.
Dr. Dave and Tracy Hataj of Edgerton Gear and Craftsman with Character student mentoring spent Sabbath afternoon among SDB Emerging Leaders at the SDB Center. Dave sparked discussion group conversations with topics that included: redefining ministry, ministry and the Kingdom of God, along with the local church and the Kingdom of God. The discussions were rich and engaging across the entire weekend!
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) fostered participant collaboration and engagement alongside great presentations. We joined the Milton SDB Church and the SDB North Central Association gathering for worship Friday evening where Pastor (and SDB Director) Nick Kersten preached, and on Sabbath morning where Pastor (and SDB Director) John Pethtel preached on the topic of being a church all seven days of the week.
Isaac Floyd led the session, “In what ways are we already leading?” Lexia Stall co-led a session with Miriam Berg that detailed “What does Christian leadership look like out in the world?” Melissa Brown led the session, “Reflection and refining our testimony(ies).” There was also 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 initiatives, and internships coordinated by the SDB General Conference were highlighted. We also discussed upcoming service opportunities with SDB Conference President, Ericessen Cooper.
Our sessions throughout the weekend 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 through a tour with SDB Director Nick Kersten.
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. We are also incredibly thankful for the role of the SDB Memorial Fund as an advocate and supporter of SDB Emerging Leader initiatives.
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 have undertaken significant upgrades that are equipping our Center building to continue to host and shape our gathered leaders long into the future.
Please continue praying for and encouraging our Emerging Leaders coming out of this past weekend!
