GATEWAY ANNUAL CONFERENCE

As we all continue to stay at home during this coronavirus pandemic, we are keenly aware of what we are doing less.  We see other people less, shop for groceries less, buy gasoline less.  But there are also increases during this time.  Knitting, completing puzzles, cooking and exercising at home, and online learning have all increased.  One of the things that has increased dramatically is creativity.  Examples abound of people finding creative solutions to the many new problems that have confronted us these past weeks. 

This is the time of the year when Free Methodist conferences usually begin holding their annual conferences.  This spring social distancing presents superintendents with a challenge of how to make that happen.  Superintendent Ben Tolly’s creative solution to that problem was to use YouTube and Zoom to conduct the 2020 Leadership Summit for the Gateway Conference on April 18.   Those who put together this year’s Leadership Summit are to be congratulated.  It worked very well.  The leadership team along with Supt. Tolly and Bishop Cowart put together a great program for all to benefit.  Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abAio04mAxo&feature=youtu.be

Leadership Summit speakers cited a number of verses from Isaiah 43.  Verses 2 and 3 read “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”  These words give us encouragement that God is with us as we pass through this very trying time.  Until we can meet together again may you feel the constant strength of the Lord!  

– Cary Holman, Regional Representative