“Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men.” 

-Psalm 107:8

Beloved, we’re living in perilous times. Hurricane Melissa and the path of destruction it left in Jamaica and the Caribbean islands, the continued government shutdown where many individuals have been furloughed and/or haven’t received their paychecks, the potential of SNAP benefits being taken away from over 40 million Americans, health care costs rising, the prolonged war between Ukraine and Russia, and the indifference of society to the things of God, all point to the fact that the cosmic conflict in our world is reaching its climax. The enemies of God are doing all they can to obstruct the plans of God, but let us claim the promise of 1 John 4:4, “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

“Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” -1 John 4:4

With this in mind, we must continue to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and evangelize in our conference territory.  The year, 2025, is coming to a close, but “Pentecost 2025” is not finished yet.  We have several Pastors and churches currently engaged in evangelistic revivals with others planning to conduct meetings before year’s end.  If we ever needed to evangelize, the time is now!  Our most recent baptism report for our Southwestern Union Conference is below.  We praise God that after a slow start at the beginning of this year we’re finishing strong in 2025!

“Rebuild” Youth and Young Adult Leadership Summit

We’re inviting all leaders of Adventurers, Pathfinders, Bible Bowl, Public Campus Ministry, and Adventist Youth Ministry to our Youth and Young Adult Leadership Summit which will be held at Lone Star Camp in Athens, TX from January 9-11, 2026. Led by our Youth and Young Adult Ministries Director, Pastor Wesley McNorton, this event will be inspiring and informational, along with a great opportunity for fellowship and sharing best practices! 

Don’t miss this opportunity to grow, connect, and be equipped for Youth and Young Adult Ministry as we collectively seek to “Rebuild!” 

For more information, please call 214.943.4491 or email lmassiah@swrgc.org.

Couples’ Retreat

It is with great joy and anticipation that we announce and extend a special invitation for our couples to attend the first-ever Southwest Region Conference Couples’ Retreat, hosted by our Family Ministries Department on Valentine’s Weekend, February 12 - 15, 2026, at Lone Star Camp in Athens, TX!

This historic event will provide couples with the opportunity to step away from the hustle and bustle of life and invest in their marriage through intentional time together, spiritual renewal, engaging workshops, and uplifting fellowship with other couples. This retreat will be a time of laughter, learning, and love as we seek to strengthen marriages and celebrate the gift of God’s design for the family.

Whether you’ve been married for one year or fifty years, this retreat is for you! You will be enriched, encouraged, and empowered to experience deeper intimacy and joy in your relationship. Some of our retreat highlights will include:

• Presentations by Renowned Family Ministry Speakers, Dr. Beverly and Mr. Ted Odell Robinson
• Workshops by Various Conference Family Ministry Enthusiasts
• The “Not So Newlywed Game”
• Marital Vow Renewal Ceremony Officiated by Dr. Carlton P. Byrd and Pastor Raynell Smith
• Formal Dinner (following the Vow Renewal Ceremony)
• Couple Photographs and Gifts

Please mark your calendars now, plan to attend this unforgettable weekend, and share information regarding this momentous event to your families and friends. The registration fee for those residing in the hotel lodges on the campground is only $500.00 per couple. This includes lodging, meals, gifts, and access to all the workshops and events. The registration fee for those not utilizing the “on campground” housing option is only $300.00 per couple. For more information, please call 214.943.4491 and ask for our Family Ministries Department.

We believe marriages are worth celebrating, worth investing in, and worth strengthening! We look forward to seeing you at the Southwest Region Conference Couples’ Retreat—Valentine’s Weekend 2026!

Mission Impact Grant of $375,000 Awarded to Six Houston Area Churches

Under the leadership of Pastor Darriel Hoy, Southwest Region Conference Adventist Community Services Director, a Mission Grant Application was written to the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for six of our Houston area churches to serve as “Resiliency Hubs.” We praise God that our application was approved, and this project will be funded with a grant of $375,000 in January, 2026! These restricted funds will enable our “hubs” (churches) to provide support to the Houston community in times of disaster. Training for volunteers, along with equipment purchases, will facilitate the execution of this grant.

Lone Star Camp Development

Thank you very much for your sacrificial giving to our “Moving Southwest ‘4’ Ward” initiative. Because of this, our two newly constructed hotel lodges at Lone Star Camp are nearing completion! Lodge #4 is approximately 95% completed, and Lodge #5 is approximately 70% completed. We’re very excited about this campground development as we will host the annual convention of the Association of Adventist Camp Professional (AACP) in December, 2025 and the Regional Conference Caucus Meetings in January, 2026. Both are firsts for a Regional Conference! Additionally, the construction of these two lodges will provide increased housing at Lone Star Camp affording more of our members to be housed on the campgrounds for our upcoming Youth and Young Adult Leadership Summit, our Family Ministries Couples’ Retreat, Camp Meetings, and other events.

Hurricane Melissa Relief

In response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which has severely affected Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, the Bahamas, and other parts of the Caribbean, our conference is mobilizing to support relief and recovery efforts. In this time of great need, we are calling on our members, churches, and friends to join us in extending prayers, compassion, and tangible support to those impacted. 

Monetary gifts can be made online under the offering name, “SWR Disaster Response and Relief Funds,” via the Southwest Region Conference Adventist Giving page at https://adventistgiving.org/donate/ANW881. 

Please be assured that all donations will go directly toward providing emergency assistance, essential supplies, and long-term recovery support for those affected by Hurricane Melissa. 

Together, let’s be the hands and heart of Jesus to our brothers and sisters across the Caribbean.

Moving Southwest "4" Ward Support

We also solicit your continued prayers and financial support as we seek to “Move Southwest ‘4’ Ward” and advance the mission of the Southwest Region Conference through Evangelism, Adventist Education, Media Ministry, and Youth/Young Adult Ministry. Please be reminded that our annual conference goal for this initiative is $500,000. All financial gifts, large and small, are needed and appreciated. To remit your charitable gift for “Moving Southwest ‘4’ Ward,” you can do so in one of the following ways:

Mail: Southwest Region Conference of SDA
P.O. Box 226289
Dallas, TX 75222-6289

Memo: Moving Southwest 4 Ward

Telephone: 214.943.4491

Cash App: $SWRGC

Online: southwestregionsda.org

Zelle: give@swrgc.org

Thank you very much for your continued prayers and support.

May God continue to bless you is my prayer.

Sincerely,

Dr. Carlton P. Byrd
President

Tithe funds are used to expand the global gospel ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, primarily in the territory of the Southwest Region Conference. We thank you for your honesty and faithfulness to the ministry of the Southwest Region Conference through the returning of tithe. Praise the Lord for the faithfulness of God’s people! Remember, “salvation is free, but ministry takes money!” Let’s “Move Southwest 4 Ward” in ministry!