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Southwest Region Conference |
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Moving Southwest '4' Ward eNewsletter |
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January 18, 2024 |
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Message From Our President |
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Dear Southwest Region Conference Family:
Happy New Year! While two weeks have already elapsed in 2024, this is our first eNewsletter for the year and we want to wish each and everyone a “Happy New Year!”
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Banner Year 2023
Last year, 2023, was a banner year for our Conference! Below are some of the highlights:
- We’re pleased to report that 1,021 persons were baptized in our conference in 2023! This is the first time we’ve had over 1,000 baptisms in our conference since 2013! Praise the Lord!
- Two new churches were planted in New Iberia, LA and Lucas, TX (North Dallas) respectively.
- For the first time in the history of our conference, we had an over one million dollar gain in tithe in 2023! Specifically, we had a tithe gain of 1,067,437.82! Praise the Lord! Also, for the first time in the history of our conference, we surpassed the $15 million dollar mark in tithe dollars returned with $15,242,969.77 in 2023! Again, praise the Lord!
- Our Christmas Special, “Come Adore Him,” was once again shown in 2023, but this time on NBC Television affiliates across the United States!
- At Lone Star Camp, our first mini lodge, housing 50 individuals, was completed!
Building God's Kingdom
We praise God and thank you, our Departmental Directors, Office Staff, Pastors, Educators, and Members, for your prayers and labors in the cause of Christ and the building of God’s kingdom. Without you, and the blessings of God, none of the aforementioned would have been realized.
As we embark upon 2024, we believe that God is going to do even greater things for us as “higher than the highest human thought can reach is God’s ideal for His children” (True Education, 12). We solicit the continued prayers and support of everyone as we seek to “Move Southwest ‘4’ Ward!”
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Our 2024 Conference Goals are as follows:
- 1,000 Baptisms.
- Hold Major Evangelistic Meetings (English and Spanish) in Oklahoma City, OK (selected city emphasis of the Southwestern Union Conference) and Dallas, TX.
- Plant Two New Churches.
- Continue the Pursuit of our Four-Fold “Moving Southwest ‘4’ Ward” Emphases of Evangelism, Education, Media Ministry, and Youth/Young Adult Ministry.
- Return $15.5 Million in Tithe Dollars.
- Raise $500,000 in “Moving Southwest ‘4’ Ward” Funds.
- Increase Student Enrollment in our Southwest Region Conference (SWRC) Schools to 350.
- Host Robotics Tournament.
- Produce Easter Television Special (ABC Television).
- Provide a $250 Appropriation Gift for Each SWRC Pathfinder to Attend the International Pathfinder Camporee (August 4-11, 2024) in Gillette, WY.
- Sponsor Cargo Transportation for all SWRC Pathfinder Clubs to Gillette, WY.
- Campground Development.
- Complete 500-Seat Chapel.
- Complete New (second) Housing Mini-Lodge.
- Complete Outdoor “Kids Zone” – Children’s Playground, Rock Climbing Wall, Water Splash Pad, Obstacle Course, and Hexagon Seating Area.
- Hold Major Camp Meetings (English and Spanish) at Lone Star Camp in Harmony with the 45th Anniversary of Owning the Campground.
- Pursue “The Dallas Project” – New Conference Office, School (K-12 Academy), and Church Buildings.
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We've Got Evidence Easter Television Special
In collaboration with our Media Ministry emphasis, we will produce a 2024 Easter Television Special that will be shown on ABC Television affiliates across the United States on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024! What an awesome opportunity for our conference to once again be featured on national television! The taping for this Easter Special entitled, “We’ve Got Evidence,” will be Sabbath, March 2, 2024, in Dallas, Texas, beginning at 11:00 a.m. In addition to the preaching ministry of yours truly, Dr. Carlton P. Byrd, we’re excited to announce that our special musical guests will include award-winning musical artist, Tamela Mann; violinist, Jaime Jorge; gospel recording artist, MyRon Butler; and the Southwestern Adventist University Singers and Orchestra! Please mark your calendars and save this date as we would love for you to join us for this live recording on March 2!
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International Pathfinder Camporee
The SDA International Pathfinder Camporee will take place August 5-11, 2024 in Gillette, WY. Given the tithe growth in our conference, coupled with funds raised through our “Moving Southwest ‘4’ Ward” initiative, we’re pleased to announce that our conference will give an unprecedented transportation gift of $250.00 per Pathfinder to attend the International Pathfinder Camporee! Additionally, we will pay for the costs of cargo (equipment) transportation (again, unprecedented) from our conference territory to Gillette, WY and the return trip to our conference for our Pathfinder Clubs! We believe that the spiritual development of our children and young people is critical to their positive relationship with the Lord, coupled with their retention in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Hence, we are making these aforementioned investments to create environments conducive to their spiritual growth and fulfill our quest to provide greater resources at the local church level.
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"Salvation is free..."
You’ve often heard me quote the phrase, “Salvation is free, but ministry takes money.” In our quest to provide life-changing, appreciable ministry, and engage in active evangelism, we need your continued financial support through the returning of a faithful, honest tithe, along with sharing a tangible gift through “Moving Southwest ‘4’ Ward.” Your gifts will advance: 1) Evangelism, 2) Adventist Education, 3) Digital and Media Ministry, and 4) Youth and Young Adult Ministry throughout our conference territory. Thank you very much for your support.
You may remit your charitable gift for “Moving Southwest ‘4’ Ward” in one of the following ways:
Mail: Southwest Region Conference of SDA 2215 Lanark Avenue Dallas, TX 75203
Memo: Moving Southwest 4 Ward
Telephone: 214.943.4491
Cash App: $SWRGC
Online: southwestregionsda.org
Zelle: give@swrgc.org
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Once again, thank you very much for your prayers and support. May God continue to bless you is my prayer.
Sincerely,
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Dr. Carlton P. Byrd President
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Exciting Career Opportunities
Southwest Region Conference is a great place to work while serving the Lord and His Church. Check out the new posted career opportunities in the Treasury and Accounting Departments on our website.
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Ministry Life Around the Southwest Region Conference |
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Prayer Requests |
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"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Matthew 7:7, KJV
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Tithe funds are used to expand the global gospel ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, primarily in the territory of the Southwest Region Conference. We thank you for your honesty and faithfulness to the ministry of the Southwest Region Conference through the returning of tithe. Praise the Lord for the faithfulness of God’s people! Remember, “salvation is free, but ministry takes money!” Let’s “Move Southwest 4 Ward” in ministry!
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