Virginia Church of God
2010 State Prayer Conference
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
The winter of
2009-2010 has been unprecedented!
December brought major snow storms, January again and now in early
February record-breaking snow, ice and wind.
I have been monitoring the weather conditions across the entire state of
Virginia as we approach the scheduled 2010 Prayer Conference. The entire state has weather watches, warnings
and advisories discouraging travel. Virginia
Governor McDonnell has issued a state of emergency authorizing state agencies
to assist local governments responding to the storms.
Today, we have
blizzard conditions in northern Virginia with frigid temperatures and strong
winds with chill factors near 0-5 degrees.
While most major interstates and highways are operational, city streets
and secondary roads are still covered in snow or ice. As we expect a little reprieve on Friday, the
current snow will melt only a little and refreeze early evening with hazardous
black ice. In northern Virginia, the
entire US government employment has been closed for three days.
Our churches have been
dramatically influenced by the weather through this winter with the loss of
several Sunday services and significant economic impact as well. As I review the corporate view of the Church
of God in Virginia, my personal attention is drawn to "What is best for our
pastors and churches!" Right now, a
large majority of pastors and churches are endeavoring to dig out and prepare
for Sunday services and minister to their congregations. My priority must be to support our pastors
and churches and their faithful ministry as we look to the future and believe
it or not, Spring.
As administrative
bishop, the responsibility of decision rests upon my shoulders. I have talked with numbers of pastors seeking
their insights, check repeatedly weather advisories and reports across the
state, and pondered in my heart, what is the right decision. After processing the information very closely,
I have decided that it is in the best interest of our pastors and local
churches to cancel the 2010 Prayer Conference scheduled for February 11-12, at
the Spotsylvania Church of God. Pastor
Donald Jones and his entire staff have worked untiringly to prepare for this
Prayer Conference and I want to personally express my deepest appreciation for
their servant's heart.
Further, our Next
Level Leadership is scheduled in the coming weeks and this will afford an
opportunity for our pastors and spouses to gather for personal enrichment,
support and fellowship. I look forward
to seeing everyone at Next Level Leadership.
Let me express to
everyone my appreciation for your understanding. This decision is based upon gathering a great
deal of information and what I believe to be a decision of wisdom. Remember, Spring is coming and soon we will see
sunshine and beautiful flowers. May
God's divine blessings be with you as we join hearts and hands together,
standing shoulder-to-shoulder. Let's
move to the next level!
Laborers together,
Dr. Michael L. Baker
Administrative Bishop