Elders Honored for Being Crucial Part of Ministry

Story by Richard Castillo

The Potomac Conference recently celebrated more than 100 elders during an annual retreat at Laurel Ridge Community College Fauquier Campus. There, they worshipped, fellowshipped and learned about the specific calling and ministry of an elder. The goals of the retreat, organized by Pastor Renee Hallman and the Pastoral Ministries Department, were to: encourage elders and support them to gain confidence in their role; engage elders and help them feel that they are a crucial and appreciated part of the ministry of Potomac; and equip elders to become healthy, disciple-making disciples.

Sabbath morning began with a mixer where elders were encouraged to meet people from other churches around the conference. Pastor Geri Christo and a team of young adults from the Southern Asian church in Silver Spring, Md., created a beautiful atmosphere of worship. Charles A. Tapp, conference president, shared an inspiring message about the ministry of Hur to Moses in the worship service.

Sabbath afternoon, elders chose workshops on fostering a healthy church environment or developing continued discipleship for their members.

A special highlight of the weekend was the communion and dedication service that closed the retreat. Potomac pastors joined the elders to wash their feet and pray with them before sending them out with prayers of blessing. Elders Paulo and Zereth Luizi from the Washington Brazilian church share, “Next year, we hope to have all of the elders from our church here.” Potomac leaders thank the elders of its conference for their powerful ministry!