Dear Southwest Region Conference Family:

It’s hard to believe that 2025 has begun, and the month of January is almost completed. So much is happening in our world and the accompanying signs truly suggest that Jesus is soon to come! As we begin 2025, in harmony with the North American Division’s emphasis on evangelism with the “Pentecost 2025” initiative, let’s pray and labor for souls in preparation for the glorious event of Christ’s return – because “He that shall come, will come, and will not tarry” (Hebrews 10:37).

Highlights from 2024

God abundantly blessed our conference in 2024!  Below are some highlights:

• Baptisms and Professions of Faith – 865
• Tithe Returned - $14,829,521.27
• Over One Million Dollars Has Been Raised (2022-2024) in “Moving Southwest ‘4’ Ward” Funds.
• Held and Hosted Successful Robotics Tournament for the Third Consecutive Year
• Over 1,000 Pathfinders Attended the 2024 International Pathfinder Camporee (Gillette, WY)
• New Chapel Completed at Lone Star Camp
• New Hotel Lodge (Second) Completed at Lone Star Camp
• New Kids’ World (inclusive of Water Splash Pad) Completed at Lone Star Camp
• Production of Holiday Television Broadcast Special on ABC Television – “What an Incredible Life”

2025 Conference Goals

For 2025, our Conference Goals are as follows:

• 1,000 Baptisms - Every Church and School in the Southwest Region Conference to Have a Proclamation Evangelistic Meeting in Harmony with “Pentecost 2025.”
• $15.5 Million Returned in Tithe Dollars
• $500,000 Raised in “Moving Southwest ‘4’ Ward” Funds.
• Increase Student Enrollment in our Schools to 350.
• Host Church School Rally Weekend (March 7-9) inclusive of Robotics Tournament.
• Pursue Adventist Education Partnership with the Bainum Family Foundation.
• Hold Summer Youth Camp.
• Revive North Central Texas and Mountain States Youth Federations.
• Continued Campground Development - Complete New (Third) Housing Mini-Lodge, New Food Store and Office Area, and New Restrooms at Cafeteria.
• Purchase 15 Acres of Land Adjacent to Interstate 20 in Dallas, TX for the Construction of a New Conference Office, School (K-12 Academy), and Church Building.
• Complete Construction of the Houston – Metropolitan Church.

North Central Youth Federation

It’s been over seven years since the North Central Texas Youth Federation was active, but we are pleased to announce that we will be having this federation on Sabbath, March 1, in Dallas, TX! To accommodate everyone, the services, beginning with Sabbath School at 10 AM, and followed by the Worship Experience at 11 AM, will be held at “The Dallas Project” 7710 S. Westmoreland Road, Dallas, TX 75237. 

Immediately following the Worship Experience, lunch will be served and then there will be a Pathfinder “Stop the Violence” Parade at 3 PM, followed by a Musical Concert at 5 PM, and a Basketball/Recreation Game at 7 PM (Franklin D. Roosevelt High School, 525 Bonnie View Road, Dallas, TX 75203). Our special guest speaker will be Pastor Furman “Pace” Fordham, IV, and our special musical guests will be the Voices of Triumph Gospel Choir from Oakwood University (Huntsville, AL). For those in the North Central Texas area and beyond, please mark your calendars, save the date, and plan to be in attendance.

15 Acres Secured for Expansion 

As of the publication of this eNewsletter, we’re pleased to announce that 15 acres of land adjacent to Interstate 20 at 900 Wheatland Road in Dallas have been purchased (independent of a loan) for the purpose of constructing a new Conference Office Building, School (K-12 Academy), and Church (The Dallas Project)! We give all glory, honor, and praise to God! We solicit your prayers as we move forward in faith with this God-ordained project to build edifices for His glory!

Honesty and Faithfulness

As we begin 2025, please allow me to encourage you to honesty and faithfulness in returning to the Lord what is rightfully His in our Tithe and Offering. God wants us to do impacting ministry for His glory, and while “salvation is free, ministry takes money.” We give to His cause because we want to see men, women, boys, and girls come into a saving relationship with Him. Remember, “you can’t beat God giving, no matter how you try. The more you give, the more He gives to you.”

In addition to remaining honest and faithful in your tithe and local church offering giving, please support our “Moving Southwest ‘4’ Forward” initiative. Large or small, all gifts are needed and appreciated.

You may remit your charitable gift for “Moving Southwest ‘4’ Ward” 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

Praying for Our Immigrant Constituents 

In closing, the past few days have been very challenging for many in our country with specificity to our immigrant population as it relates to potential deportation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  Many of our members within the Southwest Region Conference are being impacted by recent governmental actions, and we want them to know that our love and prayers are with them.

In response to what has transpired, the Presidents of the Regional Conferences met this week and are collaboratively working to provide care and support to our members during this most challenging time.  Kindly read our statement relative to our stand with this issue by clicking on the image below. The same can be found at www.southwestregionsda.org 

Please note that in the coming days we will be making additional resources available to you regarding this most important matter.

May God continue to bless you is my prayer.

Sincerely,

Dr. Carlton P. Byrd
President

Please note that windfall tithe a little greater than $300,000 was received in 2023. Additionally, total tithe numbers are negatively impacted when church remittances are not received in the conference office by the 10^th of each month. The year, 2024, was a challenging one for tithe dollars returned for all five conferences in the Southwestern Union as each conference reported a tithe loss. We’re praying that in 2025, with the faithfulness of God’s people, that we will post a gain in tithe dollars returned, enabling us to do more ministry for Him.

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!