From the Desk of Our Presiding Elder
Rev. Michael A. Smith, M.Div. D.D.
We closed the year 2023 witnessing God’s anointing in each of our conferences including the women’s and youth conferences. Attendance was good, financial goals were met, and the fellowship was enriching. Spiritually, it felt like we worshipped at Mount Zion. We praise God from whom all these blessings flowed. We are expecting more in 2024.
As we flow into 2024, we have much work ahead of us as we make the Church of God in Georgia a rich fellowship. We are continually working on structure, strategy and systems. Our board is working diligently towards this goal. It is our desire to enrich and empower the local church for ministry in the twenty-first century.
My vision for the Georgia Fellowship is to be inclusive as we seek to be gender sensitive, generational sensitive, multicultural sensitive and regional sensitive. In other words, each of our ministries and committees should be sensitive in each of these arenas as we execute ministry. I believe that each event should inspire others and equip the local church. It is wonderful to sing and shout and better when we serve and support our community.
This year our emphasis in ministry is “To Create a culture of Care” in our congregations as we use Romans 12 for our context of scripture. We should
1. Care for ‘Others’ (hospitality as a means for evangelism).
2. Care for ‘One Another’ (helping one another to equip the church/discipleship).
3, Care for ‘Oneself’ (healing inner hurts/self -care).
I am grateful to represent the Georgia Fellowship, locally, regionally and nationally. We are building and fulfilling the mandates of our bylaws and policies set forth by our Board of Directors. Together, we can do better!
Humbly Submitted,
State Pastor of the Georgia Fellowship Church of God
Rev. Michael A Smith, M.Div. D.D.