january / february 2016
Conference Sharpens Vision, Mission for 2016
T
he Ohio Conference leadership team praises God for all He did for Ohio in 2015 and looks forward to what He will do in 2016. The conference has been through difficult times, but the leaders praise God for the turnaround in their financial health. The conference began in January with a focus on prayer, and will remain focused on prayer throughout this year. “God is good and He has answered the prayers of His people in mighty ways,” says Ron Halvorsen Jr., president (pictured). “It is with eager anticipation that we begin this new year with Him. We started it out right with a focus on prayer in January and will remain focused on prayer throughout this year. It is exciting to have come through a mighty storm and now be able to turn our attention to the work of sharpening our vision and the mission for God’s cause here in Ohio.” In this new chapter for Ohio, the leadership team will focus on the “four E’s” by seeking to equip, engage, educate and evangelize. Below is an outline of their plan: Equip: This year we want to focus on constant surrender to the Holy Spirit, allowing God’s Spirit to use us as tools in loving those within our immediate sphere. Leaders will be intentional about equipping
members for ministry. We will spend resources, energy, talents and time to equip God’s people for His service. We often use the phrase, “every member a minister.” With the Holy Spirit’s direction and power, this can become a reality. Engage: We commit to working together, prayerfully seeking to engage with people for Jesus, asking ourselves how we can form holy and healing relationships that lead people to Christ and foster healthy, Christian communities. Our primary focus will be on finding ways to better engage youth and young adults within our church, as well as those not yet a part. Educate: We will strive to find ways to have more of our Ohio young people receive an Adventist, Christian education. We will focus on both elementary and secondary education. The goal is to strengthen our ministry to young people and our schools. We have learned much from our journey these last 18 months—this will aid us in the future. Evangelize: By God’s grace, we will find more ways to fulfill the gospel commission given to us by Christ Himself. We will prayerfully look at the territory God has called us to reach and be serious about reaching it for Jesus. This word is a reminder of the outward focus we need here in Ohio. “This will be achieved not by our wit or wisdom, might or power, plans or programs, but by God’s Spirit,” says Halvorsen. “This is only a start, but begin in Christ we have. We look forward to where God will lead in this new year!” Read more about upcoming plans at ohioadventist.org.
January/February 2016 VISITOR | 25