Wednesday, June 9
BUSINESS SESSION
The morning began with a Bible Study led by Bishop Wilke on the theme, “The Wesleyan Way” from Acts 15:1-41.
“The Wesleyan way is to reach out. To reach out to people from other backgrounds. To reach out to people who speak different languages,” said Bishop Wilke. “To reach out to the unchurched. To reach out to the world. And to bring them to the foot of the cross.”
During the business session today, the conference:
- heard another John Wesley moment from Rev. Dave Hanson in which he told us that if John Wesley were here he would look at us with his deep blue eyes and ask us the most important question, “Do you know Christ as your Savior?”
- heard from several speakers who illustrated effective approaches to “Sowing the Word.” Rev. Teresa Edwards presented James-Michael Smith who told about his Bible study program entitled, “The Bible for the Rest of Us.” Mr. Smith, disappointed by the adult curriculum available, developed this DVD curriculum, having most recently finished a study on the book of Revelation. Bishop Richard Wilke reported on how Disciple Bible Study is having a huge impact in prison Bible studies. Grassroots ministries such as Kairos has inspired churches to use Disciple Bible Study in the prisons, as well as “after-care” ministries involving newly released prisoners in Sunday School, etc. Ms. Elise Martin shared how a group of Waycross District Churches just returned from outreach with the Navajo Nation by sharing Bible-Sticks (MP3 players installed with the Bible) and Audio Bible-Players in a program called “Faith Comes by Hearing.” These audio Bibles and Bible-Sticks come in over 400 different languages. The Bible-Sticks are designed well for those in the military as well. Appreciation was expressed to Bishop King and to the Reverend Marcia Cochran, Waycross Superintendent, for their support of this ministry.
- were greeted by Charlie Coleman, an ambassador for the Black College Fund, who reported to the conference. Mr. Coleman expressed appreciation for the support The United Methodist Church and the South Georgia Conference gives him and the 16,000 students through the Black College Fund.
- celebrated with individuals who have received awards from various agencies and ministries throughout the conference.
- showed appreciation for the hard work and gracious hospitality of the Tifton Local Arrangements Committee and the staff from the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center as well as the Conference Worship Committee.
- accepted an invitation to hold the 2011 Annual Conference session in Tifton, Ga. June 5-9.
SERVICE OF SENDING FORTH
Annual Conference 2010 ended with a Service of Sending Forth as Bishop King gave a challenge for each person to “get better.”
“My charge to you – get better!” said Bishop King. “To you, individually, as a disciple of Jesus Christ – GET BETTER!!”
To get better, Bishop King shared, we need to:
1. Look to Jesus – His teachings and His ways.
2. Look to the disciples. Look to the first disciples called the apostles.
3. Look at the values of the faith.
“You are beautiful. You are wonderful. You are responding to God’s loving grace,” said Bishop King. “Thank you for being who you are and for making a difference. The light is shining brighter in the world because of you.”
Following his message, the new appointments were read.
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