Antonia Lopez of the Central Church in El Paso celebrated 90 years of life on February 15. She has been an example of faithfulness in the Lord’s work and was church treasurer for many years.

On February 8, leaders from across the Southwest District gathered at the Olive Tree Church in Houston for a day of connection, growth, and inspiration. We were treated to amazing workshops designed to motivate, teach, and prepare us for the new year. It was a joy to connect with fellow leaders and learn from one another.

Men from all over the Southwest District gathered on January 26 for a retreat at the Dover Family Camp in Dover, OK, where they heard messages on the theme “God’s Workshop.” We praise God for the men in our churches and are always praying for them.

About 150 brothers from churches throughout Austin, TX, gathered January 10-11 to worship and join others at a Super Sabbath. The theme “Reconnect with God” reminded us of our purpose. We had amazing services at the Eva congregation on Friday and the Truevine congregation on Saturday. 

On December 29, we had an incredible marriage retreat with our brothers and sisters from Shalom Church in Brownsville, TX. Moises and Pete Capetillo (Albuquerque, NM) led a marriage and family workshop. Then we headed to beautiful South Padre Island for a marriage conference. Four inspiring speakers shared insights on marriage expectations, finances, and intimacy using the conference’s theme “Cord of Three Folds.” Twenty couples enjoyed a special time focusing on each other and their relationships.

Our second marriage workshop was held in Las Vegas, NV, January 17-18, centering on the theme “Marriages Without an Expiration Date.” We hosted more than 60 couples from Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah. We look forward to our next Marriage Workshop in 2026!

Over 80 brothers and sisters gathered January 31 – February 2 for a powerful weekend of testimonies, messages, workshops, praise, and worship. They came from across Northern California (San Jose, Hayward, Sacramento); Central California (Visalia); Southern California (Ontario, Coachella, San Diego), as well as Las Vegas, Nevada, and Phoenix, Arizona, United as one body, we immersed ourselves in the theme “Made in the Image of God” under the guidance of guest speakers Thomas Davila and Zuri Santoyo. We were reminded that the crushing (the acceptance of His will and the cost of the anointing) shapes and molds us to reflect Him. We learned that God’s anointing is the unifying force that brings the body of Christ together, and though we are unworthy, the Most High calls us and makes us worthy in Him.

On February 1, David and Smyrna Leventhal publicly declared their commitment to Jesus! David was baptized as a child but wasn’t active in serving God until a few years ago. Smyrna was raised in the CoG7 but had so many questions that remained unanswered. A couple of years ago they began visiting our Eugene church. As a congregation, we always rejoice with our brothers and sisters as they declare their desire to serve the Lord!

The Outreach Team in the Eugene/Springfield CoG7 has been actively serving our community for a long time, distributing food, water, Bibles, and other necessities to our

 homeless community. Beginning in September, they realized that many in the church and/or those we know were experiencing “too much month at the end of the money.” To help minimize this, the team made up food boxes on the fourth Friday of each month, led by Outreach Team leaders Walt and Tara Watkins. These food boxes help between five and ten families each month. Betty Cory includes recipes that will help stretch the food included in the boxes. We are thankful for all our volunteers!

Early Winter 2025 Graduate

Edgar Rodriguez, Henderson, Nevada (Associate of Christian Leadership, Pastoral Ministry)

Artios Co-Director Change

This is a year of exciting opportunity for Artios Christian College! Several projects are underway and others are contemplated, including updating existing curriculum, innovating education delivery, adding a satellite campus, extending training globally, and expanding course offerings.

All of these opportunities require a significant investment of time for planning, development, and implementation. They also require knowledgeable, creative, and professional leadership. I am excited to announce that Brian Franks has agreed to step into a full-time position as both dean of Academic Affairs and co-director to provide the needed leadership.

I have been blessed and encouraged to serve as Artios co-director the past four years, but I could see that I did not have the time needed to effectively respond to these opportunities for growth. It is with a heavy heart but a clear conviction of what is best for Artios Christian College, and for the local church where I co-pastor, that I willingly step back so that Brian can step forward.

I remain a strong advocate for the ministry vision of Artios Christian College and the Artios Center for Vibrant Leadership to equip all of God’s saints for the work of ministry. I look forward to serving as an Artios instructor from time to time. I hope to see you in class!

— Loren Gjesdal

Satellite Campus

We are excited to have a new satellite campus based in Houston. This campus builds on the online program Artios has offered and on the partnership with the Leadership School at the Pharr, Texas CoG7. The Houston campus offers courses in person while also allowing students to join remotely. This lets Artios offer multiple ways for students to engage with the equipping educational model of the school, making leaders and pastors for the Church of God (Seventh Day) and the kingdom of God.

The first course at the Houston campus (BIS 104 History – Literature of the New Testament) began in March. This is a full Artios class, so taking it counts as full credit at Artios. Find out more at artioscollege.org/satellite-campus/.

Calendar Events

April 6 – Early Spring classes begin

May 12 – Late Spring registration closes

May 18 – Late Spring classes begin

Early Spring Classes

COM 121 Written Communication for Leadership

BIS 104 History and Literature of the New Testament

LEA 155 The Essence of Life Coaching (English only)

LEA 331 Church Administration (Spanish only)

WOA 311 Prayer Ministry (English only)

Late Spring Classes

BIS 201 Biblical Interpretation

COM 121 Written Communication for Leadership

LEA 111 Essentials of Vibrant Leadership

PSY 311 The Church and Mental Health

Register at
my.artioscollege.org/en/courses

Convention is for connection. Need a boost in your connection with your Lord? There’s good promise of that happening here. Do you desire to find better ways to connect your faith with your actions? Plenty to learn in that regard in this space. Convention lets you connect with like-minded believers from distant states and provinces. Don’t discount the importance of those relationships!

Whatever reason suits you best, we call all members to recognize the importance of their attendance at GC Convention 2025 in Salt Lake City. Your presence is requested!

As you make your last-minute plans, here are a few items to remember:

• Are you registered? Go to cog7.org/convention to add or modify your reservations. Stay in one of the official convention hotels and help us save money on meeting space (yes, they’re connected!)

• No group excursions are planned for this year, but that doesn’t mean there is nothing to do in the area! Get some friends and family together and come early/stay late to take advantage of the zoo, Thanksgiving Point, Park City, Arches National Park, and other attractions that suit your fancy. Lots of excursion information is listed on the convention website.

• The UTA*Trax train system is free to ride in the downtown area where we are located. It’s also only $2.50 to ride from the airport (Green line). The train or bus system can connect you with a cheap ride to various excursion points, including Thanksgiving Point.

• Come for the full week! Monday is a great day for an excursion or to check out the area. The Monday evening reception is a fantastic way to kick off our week together!

• General meal tickets won’t be offered (with the exception of Sabbath), but concession stands will be open and restaurants are within walking distance. Consider attending one of the Special Meals or purchasing Sabbath meals to help us meet our contracted minimum.

• Review the links on the convention website to familiarize yourself with workshop options and business session preparations. Come prepared to participate.

We so hope to see you in just a few short weeks!

— Convention Planning Committee

The GC board of directors held its 2025 Winter meeting February 25-28 in Denver, Colorado. All twelve members of the board were in attendance: Dennis O’Banion (chairman), Kirk Grant (vice-chairman), Wayne Hrenyk (secretary), Greg Lincoln (treasurer), Ruben Beard, Narciso Bentances, Ron Cummings, Tim Endecott, Daniel Flores, Jr., Neftali Hernandez, Raul Romo, and Ruben Zaragoza. Also in attendance were President Loren Stacy, Executive Director Jody McCoy, and (for several hours) accountant Dawn Wayman.

Each day, the board began with worship, God’s Word, and prayer. During this year’s meeting, the board performed most of its annual duties. It received reports and a recommended annual budget from staff; performed its annual evaluation of the GC president; reviewed its board Policies Manual; considered the GC president’s 2025 goals; adopted a budget for the coming fiscal year (April 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026); and considered and acted upon various motions proposed by its members.

The highlight of this meeting was the board’s selection of Greg Lincoln to succeed Loren Stacy as GC president, effective the end of the 2025 GC Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah (see page 1 article).

The board of directors is responsible to oversee the General Conference on behalf of the membership when the membership is not “in session.” The board fulfills this duty largely by appointing a president and holding him accountable. Members (18 years or older) who have registered to vote in the convention business session can help elect members to the board of directors.

I’m thinking about time . . . things past and things yet to come. I’m thinking about God’s sovereign control of time and of everything else. It’s comforting to know that God is in absolute control, not only of the “what” but also of the “when.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (ESV). The verses that follow list familiar examples of those seasons: “a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; . . . a time to weep, and a time to laugh,” and so on (vv. 2, 4-8). The writer could also have written “A time to begin, and a time to end.”

The year recently past was challenging, and the year recently begun will bring its own challenges. Every year does. Last year was marked by a wonderful meeting of our North American Ministerial Council. This year will be marked by another wonderful General Conference Convention. (Have you reserved a hotel room and registered for the convention? See page 4 for details.)

Last year was marked by concerns regarding the November 2023 transition of the International Ministerial Congress into the International Federation of the Church of God (Seventh Day). This year, GC members may be given opportunity at convention to decide whether or not the GC remains affiliated with the International Federation.

Last year during the February board of directors meeting, Executive Director Jody McCoy and I gave notice that we will retire from our current positions effective the end of the 2025 GC Convention. This year we will all learn who our successors will be. (Please bless them with the same gracious and patient support you have given Jody and me.)

A certain pastor read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, thought about life, and observed that God’s timing is sovereign, God’s timing is seasonal, and God’s timing often is surprising. I think that pastor is correct. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

— Loren Stacy

GC President

A powerful day of worship, unity, and inspiration took place at the Arizona Super Sabbath in Phoenix, AZ, on December 14. Churches gathered from Phoenix, Mesa, East Valley, Monte Sinai, Vegas (English), Vegas (Spanish), Tijuana, Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico, California, and Michigan. Under the theme “Engage,” Central District Superintendent Ronald Rousseau presented impactful messages. We are grateful for this unforgettable gathering of faith and fellowship!

Our Southwest District Women’s Retreat was held in Burnet, TX, on December 6-8. Over 200 women gathered for a powerful weekend of worship, fellowship, and growth focused on the theme “Transformed.” Workshop leaders shared inspiring messages on the importance of being a transformed woman in Christ. As we left the retreat, our hearts were filled with renewal, refreshment, and a deeper understanding of God’s unconditional love. We’re grateful for the leadership of SWD Women’s Director Jessica Salazar, our incredible speakers, worship team, and volunteers who made this event possible.

On December 28, the El Paso church celebrated a Coffee of Remembrance. At the end of the service, members gathered in the church dining room where they enjoyed refreshments and worship. They praised God by singing hymns, joined by members of the worship team.

The Area 6 Super Sabbath at Tree of Life church in El Paso, TX, inspired great blessings. On December 13-14, we gathered for a powerful weekend of worship, fellowship, and growth. The theme “The All Sufficient, All Satisfying Christ” inspired everyone. Pastor Esau Hernandez and Brother Josh Gutierrez, shared impactful sermons that reminded us of God’s unconditional love and guidance. We left feeling encouraged and uplifted, with a renewed sense of faith.