The Pacific Southwest District of the LCMS recently held its 46th District Convention. The theme of the convention was "Abundantly More" which came from Ephesians 3:20-21, "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." And wow, was God at work in and around the convention - President Gibson exclaimed, "it was evident in our convention that our God is doing Abundantly More than all we could ask or imagine in the PSD!"
The convention was held at Faith Lutheran Middle & High School, the largest Lutheran school (other than a university) in the United States, a true testament to our God of abundance. The convention began Wednesday, June 22, at 1 pm. One of the first orders of business was re-electing Rev. Dr. Mike Gibson as District President by a vote of acclamation. The convention also conducted elections, including our four regional Vice Presidents, District secretary and treasurer, Constitution Committee, members of the PSD Board of Directors and the Concordia Irvine Board of Regents, and the nominations committee for the 2025 convention.
The convention featured reports from various ministries and partners of the PSD, including Rachel Klitzing, PSD Executive Director of School Ministries, Rev. Dominic Rivkin, PSD Mission & Ministry Executive, Tyler Fewins, PSD LCEF District Vice President, Rev. Vince Harman, PSD Board of Directors 1st Vice President, Steve Schedler, PSD DCE Liaison, Rev. Dr. Steve Mueller, Chief Mission Officer of Concordia University Irvine, Dr. Steve Buuck, CEO of Faith Lutheran Middle & High School, and Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, LCMS President. All of these reports spoke to the convention's theme and showed how God has been doing abundantly more in all areas of the PSD. Day 1 of the convention concluded with a Worship Service with communion featuring President Harrison as the preacher, with music provided by the Faith High School praise band and organist Bob Scholz (Mt. Calvary, Lake Arrowhead, CA).
The convention passed 14 resolutions, which included topics such as:
Giving thanks to God for the work of our PSD congregations and schools in the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic
Bringing PSD bylaws up to date
To reject racism, rectify past wrongs of commission and omission, and recognize the Pacific District successes, failures, and opportunities in ministry within communities.
Increasing the number of people preparing for church work in the PSD
Strengthening the voice of commissioned ministers
If you would like more in-depth information on the events during the PSD Convention, you can find the daily recaps on the PSD Convention webpage or by clicking the links below
The PSD gives thanks to all who participated in our convention and made it the success it was, and especially our wonderful hosts at Faith Lutheran Middle & High School. Most of all we humbly thank our Abundantly More God who blessed our time together with great fellowship, diligent attention to the business of the convention, and an atmosphere of mutual love and respect among our brothers and sisters in Christ. Soli Deo Gloria!
Join us in prayer!
Gracious heavenly Father, we give thanks that You are a God of abundance. We give thanks for the work you are doing in the PSD and we humbly ask that you continue to bless all the workers and ministries in the PSD. Amen.
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