It’s funny how God uses unexpected circumstances—like a cold, rainy weekend in Burbank, California—to create space for meaningful work and even more meaningful fellowship. As one of the five members of the General Council I wasn’t sure what the weekend would bring; but I’m grateful for how it all unfolded.
Even though the weather outside looked more like Washington state than Southern California, inside the small meeting room there was a real sense of purpose. We dug in with our notebooks, laptops, and plenty of coffee. We addressed Conference action items such as the Youth Interest Committee recommendation, the Manual of Procedures revision and looked into the details for the upcoming Winter Virtual Delegate Forum (WVDF). Together we reviewed and finalized the presentation of the budget as well as discussed the program and agenda. We hope to see you there on January 4th at 2:00 pm eastern (here is the link to be sure to register).
After wrapping up in Burbank, we headed to Renew West in Tujunga, CA. The moment we arrived, I felt a shift—moving from planning to worship; from structure to community. Renew West brought together several Pacific Coast Association churches, along with visitors from out of state. The fellowship was refreshing!
One of the standout moments for me was hearing George Lawson speak. His reminder to let our light shine wasn’t just a familiar verse… he emphasized, “We ARE the light.” It struck me in a new way. It was both a calling and a reassurance—that God is already using us – even when we don’t feel particularly bright, we need to simply be a reflection of Him.
I was also thankful for Miriam Berg’s Mission Society presentation. Her updates were heartfelt and grounded in real stories of impact. Listening to her reminded me why we do all this planning in the first place: to support the mission of the church, locally and globally, with intention and compassion.
Of course, no weekend is complete without moments that leave a lasting impression. One of those came from our guest speaker, author Lori Roeleveld. Drawing from her book The Art of Hard Conversations: Biblical Tools for the Tough Talks That Matter, she reminded us that we don’t face difficult conversations alone—we are equipped because we carry the Holy Spirit with us. Her words were both practical and deeply encouraging, offering a fresh sense of confidence as we step into the hard but important work God calls us to do.
As I look back, the weekend felt like a blend of productivity, worship, friendship, and renewal. We accomplished the work we needed to do; but more importantly we left with a clearer sense of direction and a deeper connection to one another. Heading home, I felt grateful—tired, yes, but deeply encouraged.
It turns out that even a dreary weekend in Burbank can shine with purpose. And I’m excited to see how God will use this upcoming WVDF to bless our churches across the country.
