United Church of God

Honoring Retiring Minustry

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Honoring Retiring Minustry

David and Sandy Mills

David and Sandy Mills were honored for their more than 53 years of service during combined services on Pentecost, May 24, 2015.

Mr. Mills was a ministerial trainee serving in Seattle and Tacoma, Washington, in 1962. He was ordained on April 1, 1967. Dave and Sandy Mills served congregations in Washington, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Oregon, West Virginia and Virginia. Craig and Laura Scott—who are taking on responsibility in the Raleigh and Greensboro, North Carolina, congregations—shared the following thoughts about the Mills ministry:

Mr. Mills has also been a member of the personal correspondence team and served on the Prophecy Advisory Committee.

Roy Holladay shared this: “We attended Ambassador College with Dave. The Mills are one of the nicest couples that you will ever meet—very giving and hospitable. We have appreciated working more closely with the Mills since United started. We count them as dear friends.”

Craig Scott: “David Mills and his wife Sandy served the Church in North Carolina for several decades. His ministry has provided a bedrock of stability for all those in his congregations. He has always set a wonderful example of faithfulness and loyalty to the church. Mr. Mills has displayed a personal example of humility towards others and obedience towards our Father that members can look up to. His teaching has always stayed focused on the core teachings and beliefs of the Church of God providing a solid witness of the faith for those he ministered to.”

When asked what one of his most memorable work experiences was, Mr. Mills shared the following:

“Of my many memorable work experiences, the most memorable by far was a baptizing tour in the summer of 1961. We met people all over Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia, counseling hundreds of people and baptizing many of them. The most memorable was a couple in Orlando, Florida: Bill and Dixie Faulk. They literally sat on the edge of their seats during the two hours of counseling, and they were ready to be baptized. I was the one who went down into the water to baptize them. Little did I realize at the time that I was baptizing my future father-in-law and mother-in-law! It was four years later that I married their daughter, Sandy, my lovely wife of more than 48 years!”

When asked to share their thoughts on retirement and their years serving in the ministry, the Mills shared:

“We carry with us many fond memories of working with the most wonderful people on the earth, the chosen firstfruits of this age. Over the years it’s been an honor to serve brethren in many areas in the United States. We’ve especially enjoyed the last 20 years with faithful brethren here in North Carolina and Virginia. We also treasure special memories of brethren in Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe, whom we met in three Feast trips to Africa. In retirement, we’re looking forward to a little slower pace and less of the stress that goes with the full-time ministry. No doubt we’ll still find ways to serve in the Church.”

Dave and Sandy Mills have been married for 49 years. Together they have four children and 13 grandchildren. Upon retirement they plan to move to Georgia to be closer to family, and in their words they are looking “forward to fulfilling our grandparental responsibility of spoiling the grandchildren.”