GREAT PLAINS
QUADRENNIAL CONFERENCE
OCTOBER 11, 2014
BY J TALMADGE GARDNER
It was my privilege to serve as the presiding officer for the GREAT PLAINS QUADRENNIAL CONFERENCE SESSION, October 11, 2014. The Conference was hosted at Christian Heritage Church, Amarillo, Texas. Christian Heritage Church is pastored by Rev. Kevin and Christa McBride.
The Conference had seventy-nine registered delegates in addition to guests and other attendees.This was a very historic Conference and gathering for Great Plains in that they were celebrating their 80th Anniversary and that they would also be electing a new Conference Superintendent. Bishop Gary Burd who had served Great Plains as Conference Superintendent for the past twenty years [five terms] had previously announced that he would not be a candidate for the office of Conference Superintendent this term choosing instead to focus his vision and passion on serving as the Director of IPHC’s M25 Ministry. Bishop Burd’s concluding State of the Conference Report was vintage Gary – direct, candid, passionate and full of ‘heart’!
General Superintendent Beacham requested that I present Gary with the award that is being presented to out-going Superintendents for their service as Council of Bishops’ [COB] members this past Quadrennium, 2010-2014. It was an honor to do so on his behalf. I will miss Gary’s passion, grit, and constant reminder that we must ‘defend those who are poor and have no helper’. Gary and Carolyn’s imprint on the fabric of the IPHC is indelible!
The Conference in Session elected the following Slate of Officers:
Rev. Scott Hampton, Superintendent [By Acclamation]
Rev. Dennis Hartley, Assistant Superintendent
Rev. Craig Lawlis, Secretary/Treasurer
Rev. Jake Bunn, Discipleship Ministries Director
The remaining six Executive Council Members – ‘Vision Elders’ – are to be appointed by Conference Superintendent Hampton
Clergy Credentials were issued as follows:
Certificate of Ordination
Rev. Joe Trogden
Rev. Jack Peck
Rev. Jim Adams
Rev. Mario Ortega
Rev. Nilda Morales
Minister’s License
Rev. Kim Adams
Rev. Bobby Goodman
Local Church Minister’s Certificate
Rev. Megan Lawlis
Rev. Shanna Brewer
Rev. Brandon Gable
Rev. Tyson Bunn
Rev. Alejandra Galarza
Rev. Juan Hernandez
Rev. Rebecca Chavez
Rev. Matthew Chavez
Rev. Lori Kraft
Rev. Ida Wester
Rev. Carolyn Burd
Rev. Jon McVey
It was an honor as the Presiding Officer to recognize the following Conference attendees and guests:
Rev. Levon Thompson, former Conference Superintendent and GBA Member
Rev. Dan & Brenda Clowers, WMMD Missionaries and Continental Director-LAMCAR
I was privileged to serve with Scott Hampton in the DMD. Scott’s testimony will bring tears to your eyes. Gary has mentored and prepared Scott as best he could for this season of ministry. I know that Scott and his wife, Heather, will accomplish great things for the Kingdom! It was a privilege to serve our IPHC family in Great Plains.