Note from Dave Keen, the recent graduate!

I have been in school part time or full time for 12 years now seeking my Bachelor’s Degree. I swore many times that the Lord would come before it would actually happen, but it finally happened! As I sat through my commencement ceremony this past Thursday I had a good three-and-a-half hours to reflect on the past 9 years that I have been working for this church and going to school. I will share more of these reflections in due time, but what I have to say NOW, is THANK YOU! Thank you to the Elders of past and present for allowing me to further my education and supporting me through it. Thank you to my church family for keeping me focused and encouraging me to achieve this goal. Thank you past and present Youth Committees for your wisdom and guidance that has led me to this day of completion. Thank you to my beautiful wife who has been my rock and #1 fan during this time. Kiera your patience and continued perseverance for our family’s joy and happiness is just one of the many reasons why I love you! Thank you to all who threw and came to, no joke, the best party of my life, to celebrate my graduation! Life without any of you would seem empty, so finally I want to thank you, each and every one of you, for the special role that you play in my life.

Sincerely,

David Keen, B.A.

Elders Announcement about Associate Minister [From an announcement delivered Sunday, Dec. 14]

Our vision of a healthy, growing South Fork church was shared with you a few weeks ago.   As this vision unfolds, we would like to share with you a significant change that is occurring.

Over the years, we have had an Elder as an employed Minister. This was needed in the past. However, having an Elder as an employee has created some unique problems.  It forced the exclusion of an Elder in the discussions of employee related matters, and we neglected to set up some of the basic job descriptions and employee/employer evaluations that are integral to a healthy working environment.  With the addition of the new Elders this summer, we have begun the process of addressing these concerns and determined that we must make a clear distinction between the Eldership and the employed staff of the church.

Charley Belch has held the “elder/employee” role for many years in his service here. At this time, so that he may continue in his current role as Associate Minister, Charley has chosen to step down as an Elder, effective immediately.  We want to thank Charley & Pat for their many years of service. We look forward to Charley’s hard work in the days ahead in his role as an Associate Minister.

The vision laid out before us is not about one or a few persons working for God, but of all of the South Fork members working together to serve our Lord to the best of our abilities.

May God bless this special family in their work!

South Fork Elders