“We need to stay focused on defeating the enemy,” said President Bill Miller, “reclaiming God’s kingdom, finding new resources to plant churches and schools and continue supporting and growing our congregations and classrooms. The greatest resource we have is God and He has given us each other to be about His business and fulfilling His mission.” These words, stated during Miller’s report, echoed the tone of the Potomac Conference Corporation’s Second Quinquennial Constituency Meeting, in which nearly 700 delegates came to earnestly discuss the business of the church and voted, with strong support and approval, to have all officers and vice presidents continue in office.
President (center)– William “Bill” Miller, Vice President for Administration (center left)– Jorge Ramirez, Vice President for Finance (center right)– Dave VandeVere, Vice President for Pastoral Ministries (right)– John Cress, Vice President for Education (left) – Keith Hallam
Dave VandeVere, vice president for finances, opened the floor for any questions delegates had in regards to the conference’s budget and plans for the future after his detailed report of Potomac’s budget and finances. “God has call us to dedicate ourselves to the purpose of bringing His kingdom here,” says VandeVere. “How inadequate our financial resources can seem for the challenge, but we trust in God’s promises as highlighted by the pen of inspiration in Patriarch and Prophets: “Let none waste time in deploring the scantiness of… visible resources. The outward appearance may be unpromising, but energy and trust in God will develop resources. The gift[s] brought to Him with thanksgiving and with prayer for His blessing, He will multiply… (p. 243).’”
While the meeting focused on happenings from 2010-2014, administration focuses on God’s calling to passionately continue His work. “Our goal is that each church and school radiates the hope and wholeness of a spiritually maturing and numerically growing healthy body,” say John Cress, vice president for pastoral ministries and Jorge Rameriz, vice president for administration. “This means that we will continue to identify, train and empower pastors and teachers as servant leaders to build healthy, disciple-making churches and schools.” Keith Hallam, vice president for education, adds to this by saying, “An important factor in moving forward is having a mindset of growth. In our children and schools that means growth in academic ability, physical and social well-being, character development and, most importantly, spiritual health.”
“Each of us, as a member of the Potomac Conference Corporation, are privileged to pray the Lord’s prayer,” says Miller. “Your kingdom come—we each long for that day. The day Jesus will return, the day tears will be wiped away. We long for the day when all will be made right and the enemy of the church will be destroyed and God’s eternal kingdom is eternally established.”
Photo by Tony Ventouris, Ancient City Photography
