Home Office Weekly Update

From the Chairman...

Dear faithful brethren,

I’m pleased to write to you about the naming of our new president, as well as the selection of new Council members, but first let me share some general updates about the General Conference of Elders annual meeting and the Council of Elders meeting which took place this week.

We experienced such a meaningful and inspiring meeting of the General Conference this past Sunday and Monday. As you heard on Sabbath, the theme of this year’s conference was 30 Years of Service and Faith and from our first Bible study on Sabbath morning through to the concluding comments on Monday afternoon, we looked back at our history, considered the lessons we learned and then asked how we can move forward in faith following the Head of the Church Jesus Christ.

On the Sabbath, we had more than 1,800 connections and 700 in-person attendees at the Holiday Inn Eastgate in the Cincinnati area, with a special meal together for the ministry that evening. In addition to our regular presentations, we heard from those who attended the early church conferences of 1995 and also from members and ministers who stood up against the heresy of our former association. We again used online polling to provide all elders—both in person and online—an opportunity to pose questions to panelists and presenters, increasing the interactive nature of the conference.

We also approved two updates to our Bylaws including a simplification to our Call and Notice process and also how committee advisors can better support the work of the Council.

Finally, the General Conference re-affirmed three Council members—Jorge de Campos from among the international elders, and Darris McNeely and Rex Sexton from among the United States elders. The General Conference also selected a new Council member from the United States, Gary Petty. Mr. Petty was seated today as we closed out this year’s Council business and opened a new year. Mr. Petty is well known to many of you as a result of his many years as a presenter for the Beyond Today television program. He currently serves as the pastor of the Murfreesboro, Nashville and Jackson, Tennessee congregations and is the regional pastor for the southeastern United States region.

Next, let me share news from our quarterly meeting of the Council of Elders which began Tuesday and concluded today. The big news, which I shared yesterday, is that John Elliott was named as our next president. Mr. Elliott has served God’s Church for more than 50 years in various roles—including church pastor both in the United States and Canada, senior pastor overseeing our East African region, training coordinator, camp director, Feast coordinator and member of the Council of Elders. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology from Ambassador College and a Masters degree in Archaeology/Anthropology. He and his wife, Merrie, have been married over 50 years and have three daughters (all married) and many grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott look forward to this next phase of their service to God’s people.

In this regard, Mr. Elliott addressed the Council today for the first time in his capacity as president, and outlined foundational spiritual principles that will guide his service in this new role. In his address, he asked us all—as members of the Body of Christ—to fast on Friday, May 30, the day before the double Sabbath that includes the Day of Pentecost. He will be sharing more about this in the coming weeks.

As per our governing documents, Mr. Elliott will vacate his seat on the Council of Elders to assume his new role as president. And, as this occurs, Peter Eddington takes his place on the Council as per our governing documents, being the next runner-up in our most recent General Conference of Elders ballot. Mr. Eddington was seated today on the Council, and we look forward to Mr. Eddington’s service. Mr. Eddington has served as the Media and Communications Services operation manager for more than 25 years and will be moving out of that role to assist our new president, Mr. Elliott, full-time.

I am personally looking forward to working more with Mr. Elliott and Mr. Eddington in their new roles and I ask that you remember them in your prayers.

In Christ’s service,

Tim Pebworth, Chairman

From Ministerial and Member Services

Update: Crisis in Haiti

It is with great joy and gratitude that I can report to you that God’s people in Haiti have prevailed—everyone is now safe in the secure city of Cap-Haïtien! In fact, the brethren arrived one day earlier than expected. We now have secured housing and food for all, thanks in large part to deacon Joseph Jean, who led the rescue effort and is planning a special Sabbath service before returning to his home in the United States. As 1 Corinthians 15:57 reminds us, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

This has been an incredible turn of events since prayers were requested during the General Conference of Elders. The very night after asking all those present at the GCE to join in prayer for the safe deliverance of our brethren, the first truckload of people arrived—unscathed and unharmed.

We thank everyone who lifted up prayers and gave generously to help make this possible. We serve a God who hears and answers, especially when we cry out to Him in faith. Thanks be to the Father and to our Savior, and thanks to our brothers and sisters who acted so quickly and faithfully. God does it again!

—Chuck Smith, Senior Pastor, Caribbean