Five years ago, our ministry team in western Washington took a closer look at our mission and purpose. Within the context of sharing “Hope and Wholeness” to invite people to become fully devoted disciples of Jesus, we discovered a theme as we talked and prayed: "Living generously, sharing faithfully."
But the question remained: Why do we live generously and share faithfully? The answer: because we desire to grow spiritually. When you grow spiritually and pray continually, God gives you the right motivation for caring and ministering to others.
Continuing these leadership conversations, we asked each ministry, church, and school to define at different levels how they could live generously, share faithfully, grow spiritually and pray continually. This resulted in four core "ACTS" of ministry:
- Adventist Christian education;
- Coaching leaders;
- Totally involved members;
- Spiritual growth.
This focus allows us to be purposeful, steady and innovative. This focus allows us to fulfill our commitments and adapt to new opportunities to share the Gospel message in words and in actions.
Washington ACTS. There is no question about this in our minds as we see a high level of ministry activity and dreams for new ministry ideas. But there is a greater reason why we act: We act because God still ACTS!
In this season of thanksgiving and celebration, we praise God for how He is working in and through your lives. As 1 Thessalonians 5 says, we rejoice always, we pray continually, and we give thanks in all circumstances as we see God in action.
We invite you anew to join us in seeing others through the eyes of Jesus, to invest in your spiritual growth, and to partner with God in service and ministry as He acts in your life in 2020 and beyond.
Your friends in ministry,
Doug Bing, Craig Carr, Jerry Russell, Craig Mattson and the Washington Conference team
Our 19 Adventist Christian schools in western Washington are training 1,208 young people to be leaders, learners and thinkers.
Children's ministries is finding creative ways to involve children of all ages and abilities in sharing about Jesus through a community Christmas program, Vacation Bible Schools and age-appropriate activities.
Sunset Lake Camp annually witnesses young people pray for the first time, receive a Bible for the first time, engage in faith-filled conversations and make decisions for baptism.
Collaboration between Adventist education, Sunset Lake Camp, Pathfinders and local community partners allows for fifth and sixth grade students to experience hands-on science learning at outdoor school.
Church, school and community interaction are leading to young people deciding to follow Jesus and commit to living a life filled with faith.
Growing Young Adventists is bringing generations of local congregations together for mentoring, leadership development and growth.
Throughout the year, caring adults pour life, skills, time and love into young people enrolled in Pathfinders and Adventurer clubs. Our growing number of clubs are helping children and teens to know God better through physical activities and learning life skills.
Samoan Adventists say "Show Me Your Way, Lord" at the North American Division Samoan Camp Meeting, where 44 young people (and a few young at heart) responded to Jesus' calling for baptism.
