Maine State Conference Holds Annual Meeting
BANGOR, ME – Saturday, June 5, 2021 the Maine State Advent Christian Conference held their 172nd annual meeting at the Bangor Advent Christian Church. Conference president Rev. David W. David presided over the meetings.
The theme of the meetings focused on discipleship. Rev. Charlie Thieman, new pastor at Stroudwater Christian Church in Portland, Maine, presented the keynote address focused on building a strong culture of discipleship in the local church. Pastor Jim Havener (Beals Advent Christian Church) and Pastor Josh Chaney (Dunntown Advent Christian Church) also presented a workshop on the discipleship strategies they have implemented at their respective churches.
Normal business was conducted including the election of two board positions. Rev. Alan Chamberlin (Friendship Advent Christian Church) was elected as vice president as Mr. Kent Davis’ term had expired. Rev. Darrell Young was elected as treasurer to fill the unexpired term of Rev. Russell Giasson who has accepted a call to a church in Massachusetts. Greetings from ACGC were given by Justin Nash. Rev. Matt Larkin, ACGC Coordinator of Leadership Development, shared with the delegate body about the current state of the Ministry Training Institute (MTI) including the current MTI cohort in Maine. Rev. Davis also shared about the partnership the Maine State Conference is building with MTI in order to train pastors and church leaders. This includes scholarship money for MTI students and integrating MTI as a part of the ministerial licensure and ordination process where appropriate.
The high point of the event was the transfer of ordination credentials for Rev. Vince Hartford from the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Rev. Tim Soucy (Bangor Advent Christian Church) gave the pastoral charge to Rev. Hartford and after Rev. Davis and the other pastors and leaders gathered around Rev. Hartford, laid hands on him and prayed for his ministry. A member of Bangor Advent Christian Church, Rev. Hartford will soon be relocating to Clifton Forge, Virginia as he has accepted a call to serve as senior pastor of Lone Star Advent Christian Church.
