President's Ponderings - Jan. 28

Team,

Augustine of Hippo stated, “If you believe what you like in the Gospels and reject what you don’t like, it is not the Gospel you believe but yourself.” The Gospel reveals and challenges our behavior and thoughts. Submit to it and find freedom, or reject it and find bondage. You have no other choice. The Gospel of Jesus is “the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth” (Romans 1:16). Don’t be ashamed of the Gospel. Proclaim it loudly to everyone!

President’s Ponderings:

Pastors, what about hospital calls? I know of Pastors who never call on people in the hospital. This will negatively impact your people. I was trained to do hospital calls. I would drive an hour or more to make a hospital call on a church attendee. This shows you care. You should not stay long during a hospital call, but you should still show up.  

President’s Book Promptings:

I want to recommend the book, The Knowledge of the Holy, by A. W. Tozer. This book has significantly impacted my life. Tozer’s study of God’s attributes will challenge and inspire you. 

President’s Pilgrimage:

Last week, we had the privilege of being the Camp workers at Sun City Camp in Sun City Center, FL. This is a district camp of the God’s Missionary Church. God help us to minister in both Word and Song. God helped our co-workers as well as they ministered in Word and Song. They are Rev. Jonathan & LuRhe Edwards, Rev. Jeff Stratton and his family, Rev. Harry Plank, and singing Rev. Randall Stratton. One man told me that he should have come to the altar on Saturday night. He wanted me to know that he went to the altar on Sunday morning at his Church and God saved him.

This week, we were able to fly home on Monday. We changed our flight to Tuesday, but noticed that flights were arriving in Albany. We tried to get our direct flight back, but could not. God works for our good. That flight was canceled. We came home around 6:30 pm. When you are gone from home as many times as we are, it feels good to be home, even in the cold and snow. We will be doing Conference work at home. On Sunday, we will be in Northville and Rockwood.   

Church News Promotions:

God is still working among our churches. Many of our churches had to cancel due to the major snowstorm. Continue inviting and challenging people to come to church. Remember our Conference Goals!!!!

Conference Proclamations:

§ Ministerial: Speaker is Dr. Chris Dewhurst. The theme: Ministry Strategies to Evangelize Cancel Culture. This will be March 24-26, 2026.

§ You should have received a letter concerning this year’s Ministerial. We are overjoyed to share that a gracious anonymous donor has stepped forward with an incredible gift—they will be covering ALL food and lodging expenses for every minister and their spouse! This generous provision extends to: all active ministers, Intern pastors, Supply pastors, Retired ministers, and those not currently pastoring. Additionally, each minister will receive a $50 gas voucher to help offset travel costs.

§ Remember our New Conference Theme.

§ Remember the Conference Goals and let me know the average of last year’s attendance of your Sunday Morning Service. Also, let me know when you are scheduling a special time of prayer.

§ Remember to take 15 minutes to pray this Wednesday from 1:00 pm to 1:15 pm that God will do a “new thing” for our Conference.

Conference Prayer Requests:

§ Please pray for the Churches without pastors. Pray that God will send the right pastors to fill these needs. Pray for the laymen who are keeping the church services going: Fostoria—Danny Lynch, Marcy—Brian Postal, Grand Gorge—the Waterman’s, and Brushton—Glen Blow.

§ Please remember these Ministers, who are dealing with physical issues: Rev. Hugh Litzinger, Rev. Gary Mills, Rev. Paul Case, Sr., Rev. Jim Brewer, Rev. Don Myers, and Rev. Perry Case.

§ Pray for Bro. David Walters’ voice and throat.

§ Pray for God’s direction in connection with the Peruvian and New York Pilgrims in the future.

§ Pray for our Conference college students as they are in college this year. Pray for Jacob Oare, Jeffrey Byer, Janessa Byer, Mahala Pratt, Hailey O’Connor, and Kendra Brenton.

§ Pray for the Brazilian work to grow and see God help in reaching the lost of Brazil.

§ Our Churches—praying for one another and for those churches that need pastors.

§ Pray for Vicky Bickford. The Massena Church has reached out to her. She has throat cancer and is committed to hospice. She is 37 years old and has five children, two of whom are 3 and 5 years old. Pray that God will not only touch her but restore her to Him.

Remember, you are loved and appreciated. I mean this with all my heart.

Bro. John A. Whitaker