Click through a collection of leadership and ministry blog posts!
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Community on Campus
By John Leis, Washington Conference public campus ministry director The college campus is one of the most diverse and dynamic mission fields of our time. It is a place where young adults are exploring life, truth, and purpose, often for the first time outside their home environment. As a pastor and campus ministry director, I…
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Prelude
By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president Prelude is an interesting term. It refers to something that comes right before the main event or precedes a larger happening. In times of war, it can mean the time when there is a heavy air bombardment before there is a ground attack. In concerts, it refers to…
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No More Debates
By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president 67 million people tuned in to watch the recent presidential debate. I was not one of that number. Depending on who you read or listen to, you could find two different opinions on who supposedly won the debate. Suffice it to say, it was an epic wrestling for dominance…
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Night-lights
By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president I like night-lights. You know the little low wattage lights that you plug into the wall of your bedroom. The glow that they cast in an otherwise dark room is a good thing in my estimation. I suppose it comes from the time in my life when as a…
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An Open Door
By Jerry Russell, vice president for finance Revelation 3:8 says, I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept my word, and have not denied my name. Think of the image of a door. It can mean…
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Doing the Impossible
By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president Have you ever tried to do the impossible? Maybe someone has asked if you can sneeze with your eyes open. You will find that it’s impossible. Maybe someone has told you that you can’t lick your elbow, and you actually look at your elbow to see if you can…
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Covenants
By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president The word covenant is an old word that isn’t used much today. It simply means an agreement. It is a word that you often see in legal documents such as lease agreements, homeowner association agreements, and more. Our homeowner association is currently in a bit of turmoil mainly…
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Believe the Promise
By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president Last week Pathfinders from all over the world came together in Gillette, Wyoming. While the vast majority came from within the United States, it was a real treat to have others from around the world there. A number of Pathfinders were determined to meet others from all across the…
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Prayers are Deathless
By Nemaia Faletogo, Washington Conference evangelist My mother, Laumua, was a ferocious prayer warrior, who carried her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in prayer, often praying for us by name. She was a friend of God and a strong believer in the power of prayer. Mom claimed the promises of Scripture, such as Isaiah…
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The Sock Drawer
By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president Do you have a sock drawer? You know, a drawer filled with your socks that get all jumbled together no matter how you try to organize them? If truth be told, I don’t even try to organize them. My wife makes attempts at organizing my sock drawer, but it…
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Jehova Nissi: The Lord is My Banner
By Enoc Garcia, Washington Conference communication director As the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness, they experienced God’s providential leading and wonder-working power time and again. From parting the sea to providing bread from heaven, God’s miracles testified to His grace and mercy. In Exodus 17:1-7, the Israelites contended with Moses for water, showcasing their tendency…
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Dry Season
By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president The struggle is real. You may have the same struggle. The struggle of wanting a nice green yard versus the lack of rain that happens this time of year. The struggle of a pristine yard versus the price of water. The desire to keep up with the neighbors in…
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Tears in a Bottle
By Randy Maxwell, Washington Conference vice president for administration “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” This classic philosophical question still makes us think about the meaning of events, not just the events themselves. Trees literally fall in forests all the time. One fell about…
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A New View
By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president Over the last week, social media has been full of pictures of graduation ceremonies taking place around the nation and within this conference. Pictures of smiling graduates in cap and gown alongside proud parents and grandparents. Pictures of final moments at colleges, high schools, and grade schools as one…
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Belonging Changes Everything
By David Yeagley, Sunset Lake Camp Director and Washington Conference Young Adult Director Amy came to camp because her grandmother forced her. Amy was dressed all in black, with dark lipstick, and a sullen look on her face. Her grandmother told every staff member she met at registration, Amy is a troubled young lady. Don’t…
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Rewards
By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president In my small hometown in Kansas, I regularly visited the post office. In that post office, there was a bulletin board with wanted posters. Each poster featured a photo of the wanted individual along with a brief description of the crime they were accused of committing. While I didn’t…
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Rules
By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president Do you like rules? Some of us who grew up in a more legalistic time period knew quite a few rules, especially when it came to church-related stuff. In fact, many rebelled against the rules. Some rebelled because they didn’t understand them, and they weren’t really explained. Some rebelled…
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Thank You for the Peas
By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president At family reunions on my wife’s side, I have heard a story multiple times about a time when some cousins came to visit. During one particular mealtime, my wife’s father asked one of the young cousins to say the blessing over the food. The cousin took this very seriously…
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Thanks Mom
By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president Every year on Mother’s Day there are literally 1000s of flowers purchased and given to moms to honor her on her special day. From fresh flower arrangements, potted flowers or plants, or planting flowers in mom’s garden, it’s the most popular Mother’s Day gift nationwide. However, in a survey…
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Give Ye Them to Eat
By Derek Lane, Washington Conference Outreach Ministries director Give ye them to eat. Luke 9:13 This text marks a transition in the story of the feeding of the 5,000 and introduces us to what I call “the fourth key for developing a community-based ministry.” The first key tells us that roles must be clarified.…