Equipped For Ministries

TULSA – More than 300 members from the Tulsa area attended the June 21-22 ministries leadership training presented by the Southwestern Union, Arkansas-Louisiana Conference and Southwest Region Conference at the First Seventh-day Adventist Church of Tulsa.

The weekend began on Friday evening with warm welcomes from Stephen Brooks, executive secretary of the Southwest Region Conference; Apple Park, executive secretary of the Oklahoma Conference; and Elton DeMoraes, vice president of the Southwestern Union. A devotional session on leadership presented by Southwestern Union President Larry Moore set the stage for the rest of the weekend. On Sabbath morning, union and conference leaders visited area churches, presenting messages for the worship service and enjoying fellowship with members. On Sabbath afternoon, the Tulsa First church was again filled with members eager to learn and grow their ministries as training sessions on and for preaching, elders, deacons and deaconesses, men’s ministries, women’s ministries, family ministries, children’s ministries, treasury, community services, stewardship, evangelism and more were presented in English, Spanish and Zomi.

Michael Smith was inspired by the collaboration and spirit of the event, saying “We got a taste of heaven at the Equipped for Ministries training! There were a number of nations represented, different languages, peoples, churches, but all were united under the blood-stained banner of Christ. I believe the Lord used this event to create synergy, and, frankly speaking, answer Jesus' prayer. He said, ‘My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.’ (John 17:20-21.) This event was a catalyst in us working together. It was the most beautiful experience to see our brothers and sisters from the Oklahoma Conference and Southwest Regional Conference collaborating, praying, eating, uniting, singing, worshipping God and learning together.”

More Equipped for Ministries training events are planned for 2020 in the Southwestern Union territory. For details, visit SouthwesternAdventist.org/Training.