The Michiana Mid-Term Report was held at the All Nations Seventh-day Adventist Church, graciously hosted by Pastor Martin Hanna. The event began with an inspiring song service led by LaShawne Suggs, setting a harmonious tone for the gathering. The occasion was also blessed with music from the Niles Ghanaian choir.

CFO/Treasurer Kent Nichols delivered a heartfelt devotional message, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual growth. He reminded attendees that while jobs are important, “listening and learning from God’s word is the good part that can never be taken away.”

President Garth Gabriel shared his visionary plans for the Lake Region Conference. He unveiled a proposal to build a children’s pavilion on the grounds of Camp Wagner, encouraging each area of the conference to raise $200,000 within the next year to support this initiative. Additionally, he discussed plans to renovate the main adult pavilion with new padded seating, air conditioning, and improved access to restroom facilities.

Executive Secretary Abraham Henry highlighted significant achievements within the conference. He noted that last year marked the second-highest number of baptisms in the past decade. Through the adoption of new technology, the onboarding process for new members has improved dramatically, reducing the time from 30 days to less than two days.

During the Treasurer’s report, Elder Nichols emphasized the importance of encouraging the members to give to the causes of the church. He reminded those attending through several scripture references that we are stewards of the blessings that God has given us.

Seminarians from Andrews University were present and acknowledged for their dedication to ministry and their contributions to the church community.

In the area of education, encouraging developments were reported. Although enrollment had decreased during the pandemic, 2024 saw a remarkable rebound, surpassing previous numbers with over 160 students enrolled across the five schools in the conference. Capital City School now boasts an enrollment of more than 80 students, while Chicago SDA Christian School has over 40 students enrolled.

The next Mid-Term Reports are scheduled as follows:

• Motor City Area: October 13th at City Temple SDA Church.
• Chicagoland Area: October 27th at Shiloh SDA Church.

Attendees left the meeting with renewed enthusiasm and a shared commitment to the conference’s mission and future projects.