On Sunday night, I arrived at Annual Conference in Greenville, South Carolina, with our delegation from Belin Memorial. Annual Conference is a gathering of Methodists from all over the state. The week is filled with worship services, ministry reports, and voting for delegates to represent South Carolina at our world-wide General Conference. 

Bishop Holston, our Episcopal leader, opened Annual Conference by preaching a sermon exploring Jeremiah 29:11, which states, "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." From this passage came our theme for the week, A Future With Hope.

As I listened to our Bishop and attended many sessions focused on a hope filled future, I could not help but to think about our church. A pastoral transition is before us, and plans to expand our campus are being developed. Our church is looking toward the future at this very moment out of necessity because we are in a period of transition. And in periods of transition, we hold onto hope.

There have been moments this past week where I was overcome with hope. It was during a business session where one of the members of my ordination class, the Reverend Richard Reams, shared information from the Pew Report that there are 979,158 people in South Carolina who have no religions affiliation. They are known as the "nones" and "dones." 979,158 people represent 19% of the estimated 2018 census population for South Carolina. Churches across the state are working faithfully and tirelessly. And people, children of God, are coming to know hope in the living God, Jesus Christ. 

What can we do to make an immediate difference and impact on our community? I encourage you to invite your neighbors, friends, and co-workers to bring their children to our Vacation Bible School this summer. VBS provides a wonderful place for children to discover the amazing, life-giving love of Jesus Christ. I would love for our Family Life Center to be overflowing. We can do this if everyone invites at least one child.

Another moment at the conference where I encountered hope was at lunch on Monday. I met our two new ministers. During our time together, I knew Belin Memorial's future is in good hands! I am excited for the church's future and my future ministry with both of them.

Also, I hear that the weekend is filled with a future of ... rain??? Because of this, we have decided to hold this Sunday's combined worship service in the gym. We will all worship together at 10 AM in this casual setting.

Everywhere you go, people need hope. Be a people of hope this week because we know the One who holds the future also holds us. For that, we are grateful. 

ROAR! Life is wild. God is good.

Vacation Bible School 2019
3 year old (must be potty trained) through rising 5th Grade
Sunday, June 23 - Thursday, June 27, 2019
5:30 PM - 8 PM
Family Life Center

Register online by clicking  HERE.

This epic African adventure engages the whole herd. At ROAR!, kids explore God's goodness and celebrate a ferocious faith that powers them through this wild life. For any additional questions feel free to contact  Emeline Jordan, 843.997.8519.