PR T ERRY JOHNSON MOVES
2 THE UNION CONFERENCE As it pertains to end-of-life matters, many take the time to prepare a last will/word and testament. That document simplifies the complexity of a lived life into bite-sized pieces that can be disseminated without the courts of the land having to get engaged (well… most of the time!). After four years and three months, I’ve come to the end of my time as president of this wonderful conference, and I’d like to share my last words and testament. Maybe it will be worthy of dissemination without the courts of public opinion getting overly engaged? Preamble of thanks and praise It’s been a wonderful experience living and working in Sydney, and our family has truly enjoyed every moment. We’ve been stretched and have grown spiritually and in life maturity, and we thank you for the teaching and training. We love the Greater Sydney Conference, and it will always hold a special place in our hearts: • Our multicultural churches, with 20+ different languages spoken from the pulpit, continue to present the gospel truth in the context of the three angels’ messages. Evangelism is tough in our cynical city, where you, as members, continue to persevere in being the Kingdom of God now. I’m filled with spiritual encouragement when I hear your stories of God’s miraculous interventions. • We have a fantastic present-truth pastoral team caring for our 106 churches, companies and plants. I’m convinced of their authenticity, ethic and doctrinal solidity. • Our department directors, whom I’ve had the pleasure of journeying with, are superb, spiritual, innovative, creative, practical supporters of our faith, and I’ve been blessed by their spiritual giftedness. • Our principals, teachers and education staff are missional and professional. They work well with the strategy of the church, and the number of Bible studies and baptisms we have because of our school system should encourage us no end! • Our aged care provides mission opportunities, and several people have been baptized through their ministry in the last couple of years. • All of our church members.
• The entire office staff in Sydney are so kind, professional and lovely. Each of you have enriched our lives and we will always be grateful. You will be missed. My last words and testament as GSC President • As Seventh-day Adventists, we need to be reminded of our God-ordained past so that we do not fear for our God-ordained future. Always reflect on what we’ve learned in order to plan better for the mission of the church today and tomorrow. • May we be willing to drink of the cup that Christ has set for us. (Matthew 20:22) • May the Lord grant us the willingness to be poured out as a drink offering on behalf of the Kingdom of Heaven, as Christ was. As the apostle Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:6, “I am being poured out as a drink offering and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” May that be true of you and me as we patiently await the return of Jesus. • Lastly, I pray for us to maintain unity. Satan’s strategy is to cause us to disagree on trivial matters that have nothing to do with the mission of the church, which is to tell people about the Kingdom of Heaven and the coming of Jesus. Don’t be trapped by Satan, the Father of Lies’ cynical spirit, criticism, or indolent inaction. Instead remember the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award on that day! (2 Timothy 4:8) If we don’t have the privilege to meet again in this life, I fervently look forward to seeing you in the Kingdom. It won’t be long now.
Terry Johnson INTRASYD INTRASYD February February
2022 2022
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