Aug 25, 2015
All things must pass…
Past President Bill Probasco
So, a year has passed since I stepped forward and took my gavel from retiring Conference President Steven James. Much has happened. I‘ve traveled to over two dozen churches, met with eight Associations, written a year’s worth of SR articles, learned more about being “steadfast” and Seventh Day Baptist, etc. It’s been…fantastic! God has blessed me and my family this past year.
But the time has come to prepare for a new theme and a new President.
I pray for God’s blessings on Rev. Dr. Kenneth Chroniger and his family as they begin their year of sharing and visiting. But, as I go – and truly all things must pass, including the President’s gavel – I want to say thank you to everyone who made this year a special one. So, thank you. Here are some highlights from my week at Conference:
- Having my son bring the first message of the week.
- Enjoying 8-minute messages throughout the week: whether that be spoken, played, or displayed; especially getting to see my wife present an 8-minute message (see that message in this issue!), and her getting to be the first to call me an idiot for the week…and that’s all right!
- Playing softball with longtime friends – and their children: a new Conference experience I enjoyed.
- Survey says…playing host to 10 different Family Feud teams!
- The Friday night praise lifted up by a bus load (literally) of NYC SDB choir members who came to support their pastor and help usher in the Sabbath.
- Leading the business session without too many gaffes (thank you Parliamentarian Camenga!).
- Just sitting back and being in awe of how Rev. Dave Bailey Sr. from Ranch Hope can take over a room while never getting off his sermon’s message that told us to “Settle Down!”
- Spending the week with my good friend Mark Hamilton, who came all the way from Lithuania to share with us, and hearing how blessed he was to have come and wanting to return sometime!).
- And maybe the moment of the week: seeing the Toronto Bible Quiz team all but literally pull an answer out of their teammate to finish the quiz!
Thank you again for a memorable week. If you were blessed half as much as I was, you were truly blessed! I look forward to seeing everyone at Conference 2016.
In the meantime, if you need me, you’ll have to catch me…
