Baptisms in 2025

We set 1,000 baptisms as a goal for our conference in 2025. Through November, we have 889 baptisms! With a strong December (a baptism minimum of 111), we will reach our goal! As 2025 has ended, we’re positively awaiting the baptism report for the year. Our most recent baptism report for our Southwestern Union Conference is below.

Ministry Training Events

In the first quarter of 2025, we have multiple ministry and training events on the calendar. They are:

Marriage Retreat

We’re excited to announce and extend a special invitation to all of our married couples to attend thefirst-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.  Please be encouraged to register now as many couples have already registered, and housing on the campground is on a first-come, first-served basis.  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!

Lone Star Camp Development 

Hotel Lodge #4 is completed, and Hotel Lodge #5 is nearing completion at our campground! Special thanks to Mr. Bob Allen, our Lone Star Camp Manager, for his labors and leadership in these construction projects. We praise God that we will have increased housing for events at Lone Star Camp in 2026 and for our 2026 Camp Meetings! We’re also excited that from January 25-28, 2026, we will host the Regional Conference Caucus Meetings at Lone Star Camp, a first for a Regional Conference!

Private School Education

Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, the State of Texas will provide Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA). This is a state-funded education savings account program created by the Texas Legislature. TEFA allows eligible families to use state education funds for approved educational expenses, including private Christian school tuition. 

We’re pleased to announce that our four Adventist Church Schools in Texas – 1) Applegate Christian Academy in Round Rock, TX (Austin Metropolitan area), 2) Bethel Elementary School in Texarkana, TX, 3) Excel Adventist Academy in Houston, TX, and 4) Southwest Christian Academy in Dallas, TX are all affiliated with this program which will provide funding in the amount of $10,000 to $12,000 per student, and up to $30,000 per student with qualifying disabilities for approved applications. This is an excellent opportunity for our youth to be enrolled in our schools free from tuition challenges. Parents must register with TEFA beginning February 4, 2026 with registration ending March 17, 2026. It is crucial that interested individuals begin inquiring now. Please see the information below.

Moving Southwest '4' Ward 

We need your continued prayers and support to our “Moving Southwest ‘4’ Ward” initiative as we seek to 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

CashApp $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!