26th Annual Unity Conference
July 30-August 1, 2010
The shofars sounded and the 26th annual Unity Conference came to order. Pastor Sam Graham opened with prayer, and gave a brief history on how the Unity Conference began 26 years ago. The very first conference was held at Rocheport, MO in a motel across from the campground. They have been rotated between Cisco, Texas; Eaton Rapids, Michigan; and Rocheport, MO every year thereafter, except one year when it was held in Lebanon, Ohio, and the 2000 conference was held in the Bahamas. Pastor Sam has moderated every Unity Conference except for 2009 when he wasn’t able to attend due to hip surgery.
Some important things have come out of the Unity Conference through the years. The Word of Yahweh Bible, that is so popular now, was a product of the Unity Conference ten years ago. With the help of some very dedicated brethren, the desire became a reality.
Pastor Sam continued saying that we have learned how to work together, and love one another, in spite of our differences. When someone in another area needs baptism, or a visit, we try to accommodate the person in need. It was interesting to hear how the Unity Conference has evolved over the years.
He then read some wonderful scriptures on unity and encouraged us to use our talents to edify the whole body. He then gave a brief history of the assembly in Eaton Rapids.
In 1925, Pastor Sam’s parents came into the knowledge of Yahweh’s name and started teaching it to the family. His mother was a shining example to those around her. While attending his 50th class reunion, one of the superintendents came up to Pastor Sam and was relating to him how each time his mom took him out of class for a feast day, she would give the superintendent all kinds of scriptures showing why he would be taken out of school. It was amazing to hear that after 50 years, the superintendent still remembered his mother with such fond memories.
There were a variety of messages, but the theme throughout the entire Unity Conference seemed to be one of urgency—that times are getting close to Messiah’s return—and we need to get very serious about our faith. Coming together as a body was mentioned throughout the conference numerous times. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 tells us: “...Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey EVERYTHING I have commanded you.” We should be anxious to work together to get this great message out to the world before Yahshua’s return.
Elder Jake Meyer spoke on events going on in the world that should make us realize that Yahshua’s return is imminent. He mentioned the freedoms that we still have in this country to worship Yahweh without fear. He said that people are willing to exchange their liberties for temporary material security and we have now enslaved generations not yet born with a huge debt. He fears that they will not have the ability, except through great trouble, to worship as we are today.
On Sabbath, we had a guest speaker, Elder Richard Willets, that was visiting from the Congregation of Yahweh, in Nottingham, England. After a brief history on the 50-year-old congregation, he gave a very inspiring message on “Sanctification and Revival.” If you are interested in learning more about this assembly, you can go to their website by clicking here.
There seems to be a problem in our society today defining “Marriage.” A resolution was written up by Brother Eric Gentile, and agreed upon by those in attendance this year. The following was taken from Webster’s dictionary, 1828 version. “MARRIAGE — The act of uniting a man and woman for life; wedlock, the legal union of a man and woman for life. Marriage is a covenant both civil and religious, by which the man and woman engage to live together in mutual affection and fidelity, till death shall separate them. Marriage was instituted by [Yahweh] Himself for the purpose of preventing the promiscuous intercourse of the sexes, for promoting domestic felicity, and for securing and education of children.”
When Brother Eric looked up the definition of immorality in his modern-day dictionary, he found a very bleak definition. It said, “What the community states in their area.” How sad!!
Brother Mike Banak gave a message on, “The Principles of Sacred Name Leadership.” He encouraged all the leaders of assemblies to work together to get this end-time message out.
Brother Tom Reynolds gave a message on, “The Holy Spirit,” Elder Tom Schattke spoke on, “The Bride of the Messiah,” and Brother Scott Leys spoke on a “United Missionary Effort.”
Two young men from the Zeeland, Michigan Assembly, Jared Leys and Andrew Leech, gave a report on a youth group they are organizing called “Youth for Yahweh.” They are creating a website for young people, ages 15-29, and would like to have articles, photographs, stores, testimonials, and anything that young people can share. If you would like to know more about this website, click here.
Andrew gave some background on his family who have been Sabbath keepers for 5 generations. His grandfather first used Yahweh’s name and raised his family in the faith. Andrew was very well-versed in scripture and a fluent speaker for his young age.
Brother Tom Martinsic gave a report on his 6-week missionary trip to five southern states. He visited people in Florida, West Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and New Orleans, LA. He visited a homeless shelter in New Orleans and found the Tetragrammaton on a whiteboard as he walked in, and they were also teaching Torah. He commented that just when he thought it was over for New Orleans, he saw hope.
They also picketed an abortion clinic with signs saying, “We will raise your baby until you can.” A lady came out of the abortion clinic and asked if they would really do that, and Brother Tom said, “Yes, we have people who have volunteered to do this.” She was impressed.
Isaiah 58:1 tells us, “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to My people their rebellion and to the house of Jacob their sins.”
Elder George Garner started his message by telling about a book that he received a few years ago while on a ministerial trip in Georgia. The book has changed his thinking about how our country began. The book is called, “The 5000 Year Leap, by W. Cleon Skousen. The book contains great detail about the history of our country and how our founding fathers used Yahweh’s law when framing the Constitution. They called it the “Natural Law” and they took their principles from the Book of Deuteronomy. Thomas Hooker, a minister in the state of CT, wrote up the Connecticut Constitution based on the Old Testament teachings. Back in 1776, the Old Testament was commanded to be taught in our schools, and the colonies prospered tremendously. He said that it was well worth reading.
Since the last time we attended the Unity Conference, the Eaton Rapids Assembly has built a beautiful new place of worship. Thank Yahweh for the abundant blessings He bestows upon His people.
When people say that they don’t come to the Unity Conference because “Nothing every changes,” it’s because they haven’t been to one for a while. The unity of spirit is growing each year to the point that the Unity Conference seems more like a feast than a conference. It was a blessing to attend this year. We would like to thank the Eaton Rapids Assembly for their wonderful hospitality and meals they provided.
The Unity Conference will be held August 5-7, 2011, in Cisco, Texas. We hope you enjoy the slide show below! Praise Yahweh for all His blessings!
