Aug 26, 2013
The last time Seventh Day Baptists met for Conference in Colorado was back in 1980. If this year’s gathering was any indication of how well Conference can be run in that thin air, I’ve got a feeling we’ll be voting to return soon. (Although we might want to give the hard-working and excellent Host Committee a few years to recover. Hats off to Pastor Steve Osborn and crew!)
As President Ralph Mackintosh wrote before the event, “My prayer for the week is that we are inspired by the music we hear, the messages that are delivered and the experiences we share. Corporate worship should motivate us to action. I also pray that everyone will seek out new knowledge, skills, or insights that can be applied to their daily lives and ministries. And finally the week should be one of fun and enjoyment with brothers and sisters in Christ.”
Ralph, may I say that the week was ALL that and more! The guest speakers and entertainers were awesome and our home-grown talent was stellar. We gleaned much from the seminars, ate much at the cozy cafeteria, cried much at the Stained Glass reunion, and were blessed much just being together.
This was a Conference for the ages—As memorable as the stunning scenery. May it truly be a turning point for us as a people as we Follow in His Footsteps.
Forward in HIS Footsteps
University of Colorado
Colorado Springs, CO
July 28–August 3, 2013
President Ralph Mackintosh
Statistics
•520 registered guests
•223 delegates representing 53 churches
•44 ministers/pastors present
•11 official visitors
•6 students preparing for ministry
•2 T.I.M.E. students
•63 at Associated Conferences and with 10 in the nursery
•19 at Youth Pre-Con, directed by Paul Andries with 7 staff
•25 at Young Adult, directed by Johnmark Camenga with 4 staff
Elections
•President 2013-2014: Steven James, Verona, NY
•President-elect: Bill Probasco, Shiloh, NJ
•General Council: Dale Thorngate
•Council on Ministry: Gabe Graffius, Patti Wethington
•Faith and Order: Virginia Burdick, Steven Crouch
•Committee on Support and Retirement: Eric Rudert
•Tract and Communication Council: Gretchen Zwiebel, Johnmark Camenga
•Memorial Fund Trustees: Don Graffius, Ruth Reynolds, Stephen Rogers
•Christian Social Action and Disaster Relief: Daniel Lovelace
•Business Recording Secretary: Katy Bofinger
Awards/Recognitions
•Women’s Board Robe of Achievement: Linda Van Horn Camenga, Kissimmee, FL
•Sabbath School Teacher of the Year: Kurt Berg, Riverside, CA
•Mary G. Clare Scripture Memorization Bowl: Toronto, ON, Canada
Nominations Committee 2014
Former President: Ralph Mackintosh (CA)
Former General Council: Andy Samuels (FL)
Former Nominations Comm.: Shay Rankhorn (TN)
Eight additional members:
Stephanie Sholtz (MN)
Eric Inabnit (WA)
Nadine Lawton (RI)
Jacqueline Alonzo (VA)
Dawn Richards (AR)
Jim Goodrich (NE)
Jessica Chroniger (NJ)
Paula Reynolds (ONT)
Alternates:
Aaron Andries (DC)
David Fox (GA)
SDB Women’s Board
President: Althea Rood
Vice President: Deirdre Camenga
Recording Secretary: Madelyn Neher
Treasurer: Margot Harris
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- As he predicted, some tears flowed from President Ralph Mackintosh as he introduced his loving and supportive family.
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- The Maranatha Community Church of Colton, Calif., was welcomed into the Conference as a member church.
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- Karen Payne (l.) presented the Robe of Achievement to Faith Green on behalf of Faith’s mother Linda Camenga who was unable to be at Conference.
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- Linnette Reynolds accepted the Scripture Memory Bowl for the Toronto SDB Church.
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- Kurt Berg (l.) received the Crystal Apple Award from BCE’s Andrew Camenga.
