MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
I Have a Dream!
O
n August 28, 1963, the civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a famous speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Over and over again he repeated the phrase, “I have a dream!” King painted a picture of an integrated and unified America… “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character. I have a dream today!” I too have a dream! In fact, it is my responsibility as leader of the Alberta Conference to cast a shared vision for our people. My job description states, “The President shall work with the EXCOM (Executive Committee) in casting a vision for the future.” On Saturday, October 14, our EXCOM members gathered in Kananaskis for a visioning retreat. We prayed earnestly that God would reveal to us His vision for the Alberta Conference. What God showed us that Sabbath day causes my heart to beat faster. This is the dream… It is the dream of a thriving Jesus community, where all people are seen and heard and loved. It is the dream of a first century church in the
4 Alberta Adventist News
“
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character. I have a dream today!”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
twenty-first century (see Acts 2:42-27). It is the dream of vibrant congregations where our youth are truly valued and fully engaged. It is the dream of Christ-centered fellowships characterized by heartfelt worship, authentic relationships, active community engagement, and non-judgmental acceptance. It is the dream of moving forward on our knees, fully devoted to prayer. It is the dream of spiritually maturing Christ-followers joyfully sharing the good news of Jesus and His soon return with friends, family, schoolmates, and work associates. It is the dream of genuine revival sweeping across our conference as God’s Holy Spirit is poured out on young and old alike. It is the dream of scriptural truths being proclaimed with relevance and
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life-changing power. It is the dream of caring congregations where hurting people find healing and freedom. It is the dream of multiplying missionfocussed congregations through church planting. It is the dream of thousands being converted in a day. It is the dream of a growing network of grace-oriented Adventist Schools, where students come to know and love Jesus in addition to learning math and socials and fine arts. It is the dream of Adventist education that is accessible to all families who desire it. It is the dream of healthy, happy families. It is the dream of dedicated church members mentoring our youth to lead confidently and competently. It is the dream of empowering mission-minded young adults to change the world.
