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Annual Conference Booklet

Table of Contents

11th Session of

Genesis Annual Conference May 24-25, 2018

“FAITH”

Part One: Agenda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Standing Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Bar of Conference – Voice & Vote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Ministers Having a Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Delegates Having a Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Election of Delegates to GC19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 x Conference Reports: Genesis Board of Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Genesis Conference Foundation Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Part Two: Genesis Conference Financials

Part Three: FMCUSA General Conference 2019

Part Four: Free Methodist World Missions FMWM Report for Genesis FMWM Latin America ICCM

Part Five: FM Partners in Ministry: Covenant Acres Free Methodist Foundation Northeastern Seminary Oakdale Christian Academy Roberts Wesleyan College

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Agenda

Genesis Annual Conference 2018 – 11th Session –

Pearce Memorial Free Methodist Church North Chili, NY

Thursday, May 24 and Friday, May 25 Bishop David Roller, President

* “FAITH” *

Updated 5.11.18

Thursday, May 24 12:00 PM Registration 2:00 PM Opening Worship and Prayer Rob & Jessie Kiem 2:15 PM Organization of Annual Conference Bishop David Roller

Also: Explanation of voting for GC19 Delegates (on Friday) & Nominee List

2:30 PM BOA Report Todd Daningburg, BOA Chair BOA Highlights 2017-2018 and Policy Manual

3:00 PM Take Courage! Supt. Pam Braman 3:45 PM MEG Report Gloria Roorda, MEG Chair

(Full MEG Report includes receiving new CMCs, Elders, & Transfers)

4:45 PM Retiree Recognition

5:00 PM Dinner (Dinner available on-site at Pearce. Reservations required. See note at end of Agenda.*)

7:00PM Ordination Service o Prayer for those newly received as CMCs o Ordination Address Bishop David Roller o Ordination o Fellowship Reception – Honoring new CMCs, Ordinands, and Retirees

9:00PM Adjourn

Friday, May 25

7:30 AM Registration – Fellowship – Continental Breakfast 8:45 AM Morning Worship Rob & Jessie Kiem 9:00 AM Call to Order Bishop David Roller 9:05 AM Welcome & Announcements Roger Haskins, Lead Pastor, Pearce 9:10 AM Nominating Committee Report & Election of Delegates to GC19 – Ballot 1

Kirk Kettinger 9:25 AM Step Out Supt. Pam Braman 10:00 AM Nominating Committee Report & Election of Conference Boards

Kirk Kettinger -Board of Administration (BOA) Elections

-Ministerial Appointments Committee (MAC) Elections -Ministerial Education and Guidance Board (MEG) Elections -Nominating Committee – presented by BOA

10:15 AM Announcements - Break and Fellowship

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10:30 – 11:00 AM Workshops I 11:15 – 11:45 AM Workshops 2

12:00 – 1:15 PM Lunch Break (Lunch provided on-site at Pearce) CMC & Ordination Track Lunch – in separate room

1:15 PM Afternoon Worship Rob & Jessie Kiem 1:30 PM Election of Delegates to GC19 – 2nd Ballot

1:40 PM Teaching Bishop David Roller

2:10 PM Election of Delegates to GC19 – 3rd Ballot, if needed 2:15 PM Treasurer’s Report Scott Sittig, Conference Treasurer

2:25 PM Overcome Failure Supt. Pam Braman

3:00 PM Reading of Appointments Bishop David Roller 3:15 PM Closing Worship 3:30PM Adjourn and Depart

Annual Conference will be at Pearce FM Church: 4322 Buffalo Road, North Chili NY 14514.

updated 5.11.18

Meals during Annual Conference 2018

●Dinner will be available at Pearce on Thursday, May 24, 5:00-6:30 PM. Reservations are required. Email your reservation—specific names—to Judy by May 15. --Cost is $9 per person. Pay at registration center.* --Pastors, Delegates, and Conference Board Members – no cost (provided by Conference)

--Ordinands, new CMCs 2018, & Transfers and your spouses – no cost (provided by Conference)

*Pay at the registration center with cash, check, or credit/debit card. Checks should be written to Pearce Memorial Church with “AC Dinner” on memo line.

●Other meals during AC18 . . . Friday breakfast and lunch will be provided on-site. No reservations required. No cost for AC participants.

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Standing Rules

Genesis Annual Conference 11th Session

May 24-25, 2018 Pearce Memorial Free Methodist Church

North Chili, NY

* “FAITH” *

Standing Rules

a. Members of conference whose duties require them to be absent shall be marked present at roll call.

b. Those having a vote are ordained ministers, conference ministerial candidates who are senior pastors, and delegates.

c. Honorary seats (having a voice but no vote) are granted to licensed pastors, conference ministerial candidates, missionaries, visiting clergy, church officials, located elders, located deacons, honorary delegates, and other conference officers or committee members present.

d. All major motions and debate shall be made at the microphones, and copies of all major recommendations or motions shall be given to the chairman and secretary before presentation.

e. Any proposal or motions shall be given to the chairman and secretary before presentation.

f. Unless otherwise ordered, all ballots shall be counted outside the bar of the conference.

g. Any matter involving finances shall be referred to the Genesis Conference Board of Administration with power to act.

h. Any unfinished business at the end of Annual Conference shall be referred to the Genesis Conference Board of Administration with power to act.

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Voice and Vote

at Annual Conference

Who has a voice and a vote at Annual Conference? o Ordained Ministers (Elders) o Conference Ministerial Candidates who are Senior/Lead Pastors o Lay Delegates

Who has a voice only, with no vote, at Annual Conference? o Those having Honorary seats.

Honorary seats are granted to: o Licensed Pastors o Conference Ministerial Candidates

(unless CMC is a Senior/Lead Pastor) o Missionaries o Visiting Clergy o Church Officials o Conference Officers o Conference Committee (Board) Members o Honorary Delegates o Located Elders and Located Deacons

Those with voice and vote plus those with voice only (Honorary seat)

sit together in the Bar of Conference. A Reserve Delegate who is . . .

o taking the place of a Regular Delegate has a voice and vote. o attending along with Regular Delegate does not have a voice or vote and does not sit in

the Bar of Conference—unless the Bishop invites Reserves to sit in the Bar of Conference.

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Ministers Having a Seat

Genesis Annual Conference 2018

Updated 5.11.18

ELDERS

Adams, Linda Ahern, Robert Ausby, Henry

Babcock, Brian Barangendana, Ephraim Bassett, Troy Bates, Laverne W. Bell, Rex Bierdeman, Brenda Blowers, LaVerne Braman, Pamela Bratt, Jonathan Bridges, Donald Brotzman, Gregory Buck, David J. Burroughs, Sandra L.

Calcano, Guillermo Carden, David L. Carpenter, Rex Cogswell, Michael Colon, Louis D. Colon, Louis E. Cooper, Julie Cullum, Douglas

Daningburg, Todd Davis, Casey Davis, Matthew Deeks, Timothy Dey, Virgil C. Dillard, Jerome (Pete) Doan, Robert L. Donnell, Lloyd

Easterling, Bruce J. Edwards, Allan Elder, Russell M.

Fermin, Natividad Fisher, M. John Fleming, Walter Flowers, Margaret Ford, George F. Frederick, Harry Freeman, C. Randy Freeman, Sharon

ELDERS (cont’d.) Gilmore, John Greeno, Lawrence J. Grimm, Nelson J. Groves, Vern R.

Haffey, Shane Hamilton, Barry Hammond, Raymond Harblin, Eric C., Jr. Harp, David Gregory Haskins, Andrew Haskins, Roger, Jr. Heinike, John Heintzman, Brett Hellmig, Leroy M. (Skip) Hill, Matthew Hill, Nelson Hoose, Megan Hopkins, Maurice Hoppe-Spink, Christopher Hoppe-Spink, Joan Horton, Jonathan Hunt, Jonathan A.

Ireland, Richard Isaman-Bushart, Barbara

Jenkins, Karen Joas, Oremo Oredi Johnson, Nicole Jones, Michael Jordan, Ralph

Kane, James Keller, John D. Kelly, Jeremy Kendall, James Kilburn, Thomas Kuhlkin, Michael

LaBarr, James LaCelle-Peterson, Kristina Langford, Douglas LeBaron, Randall Lesher, Nathan Leslie, William Livermore, Paul W. Lockwood, George Logan, Jack A.

ELDERS (cont’d.) Lowery, William T., Jr. Lowery, William T., Sr.

Mackmer, Robert Martin, John McCarthy, David McCown, Wayne McGinnis, Raymond L. McIntyre, Dodi Mieney, Darlene Miller, David Mills, Peter Misciagna, Christian Mitchell, H. Robert Mohr, Donald L. Moran, Jonathan Mosher, Barbara Munyakuri, Heritage Mutton, Mark

Nelson, David Newcomb, Paul E. Ngarukiye, Jotham Norton, Priscilla

O’Brien, Christopher Odachowski, David

Payne, James S. Peelle, Baiba Peelle, David Perkins, G. Benjamin Perry, Lynton Petro, Thomas J. (deceased) Petry, Lawrence Petteys, Kathleen Ann Pierce, Mitchell C. Powell, William Prince, David Pritchard, David Prospero, Sebastian Pulice, Deano

Reitmeier, Herbert J. Rivera, Michael Rivers, Marsha Roesch, Daria Roorda, Gloria Rouse, Mark

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ELDERS (cont’d.) Rouse, Rick

Saile, Vern Sass, Andrew Sawade, Ron Schoenfelder, Danielle Schwab, Linda Scott, Harold Searle, Robert Shreffler, Samuel Sittig, Scott Skiff, David Smith, Calvin Smith, Tedd Snyder, Richard D.,

Bishop Emeritus Socci, Vincent Stein, Adam Stepanian, Michael Stroup, Thomas Sykora, Josef Sykora, Lynette

Tarnowski, Jason Tassone, John Tesch, Kenneth Thoms, Lonnie

Vanderhoof, Wesley

Walker, Daniel Washburn, Pamela Weber, Mark Welch, Patricia Wenzke, Caryl Wickman, Joe Wilkins, Christopher Wood, Gary H. Wright, Edwin

Young, Eric Yourdon, Ward C.

Zellmer, Patricia DEACONS

Adams, John Carter Cooke, Lloyd M.

Hakizimana, Amoni

Phillips, Randolph

Tennies, Norma Billings Thompson, Stewart Walsh, Beverly

CONFERENCE

MINISTERIAL

CANDIDATES

(CMCs)

Angeli, Mario

Bassett, Scott Benson, Nick Bigham, Ryan Bliss, Alan

Collins, Shane Cooper, Jeffrey

Davis, Brett Dick, Colleen

Grice, Sarah

Heffernan, Marissa Honan, James

Lachat, Todd Lawrence, Ryan

McCarthy, Britta

Rovito, Ryan

Searles, Charles

Yentzer, Abigail Yentzer, Kenneth

Zittel, Paul A.

LICENSED PASTORS

Daniels, Anthony J.

Schoenfelder, Benjamin Smith, Colin LOCATED ELDERS

Prouty, Arthur Show, Paul Sittig, Ronald

LOCATED DEACONS

Cooley, Paul Myer, Howard Yansick, James

PERMANENT DEACONESSES

Blaho, Ruth Shockey, Grace

2018 Candidates

ELDERS

Brian Hahn Christopher Landon David Mills Brian Roth Jennifer Westervelt TRANSFERS

Raquel Alston (E), from Free Spirit Missionary Baptist

Church

Paul Lattimer (E), from New South Conference Rebecca Letterman (E), from Covenant Church of

Pittsburgh

Charles Maldonado (E), from Keystone Conference

Kayleigh Schumske (E), from Acts 12:24 Conference

Tanya Spencer (E), from Free Spirit Missionary Baptist

Church

Yuko Wilkins (E), from FM Conference of Japan

MINISTERIAL CANDIDATES - CMCs

Brandon Baker Adelfa Calcano Johanan Calcano Daniel Calkins Jeffrey Cappello Margaret Cappello Stephen Emanuele Fe Cristiana Fermin Febe Fermin Ruth Langdon Lisa Leavitt Alejandro Luis Marisol Luis Jonathan Scofield Joel Shue Dana Weseman Ariel Wich

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Delegates Having a Seat

Genesis Annual Conference 2018

Updated 5.11.18

Akron, One Church Richard Christiana

Allen Kidder

Albion Jon Costello Jacob Liddle

Allegany, Creekside Chapel John Bright

Alton Sheila Cogswell

Batavia, Northgate Stephanie Debo

David Kibler Susan Wakefield

Belfast Rene Stempert

Binghamton, Hands of Hope Rita Emilio

Binghamton, LifeQuest Evan Picciano

Brockport Dan Carlson

Keith Davis Pam Kimmel Melanie Proud Bob Vanderstouw

Brocton, Hope Rising Mattie McIntyre

Buffalo, Cornerstone John Habermehl

Sharon Sproull

Buffalo, Epic – Fellowship Status Option to have Honorary Delegate

Buffalo, Nueva Vision Carmen Irrizari

Cattaraugus, Roberts Memorial Cheryl Mallen

Cortland, Living Word Anni Warfield

Dansville Norm Wetterau

East Otto, Brooklyn Maryetta Boyd

East Randolph, Faith Lighthouse Beth Hayner

East Williamson, Grace Ridge Dave Hollebrandt Paul Juszczak

Elmira, Hand in Hand Robert Maggese

Endicott, New Life Ministries Aimee Dixon Tina Dolan

Tom Eckenrode Donna Fairchild Bill Gilbo Dave Hickling Edward Kuhlman

Fairport, Eastside Shawn Ritchie

Franklinville Terry Hahn

Fredonia, Harvest Chapel Dianne Ferguson

Lin Liedke Judy Metzger

Gerry Brent Anderson Bob Clark Paul Holley John Neail

Gowanda Kyle Steever

Paul Zittel

Hornell Andy Conine

Jamestown First, Joy Fellowship Charles Gioia

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2018 Delegates (cont’d.)

Liverpool, Walk of Faith Dan Sullivan

Niagara Falls, Colonial Heights Drew Oswald

North Chili, Pearce Memorial Chuck Cockrell Mike Faro Tyler Logan Linda Mantegna Susanne Mohnkern Terry Taber

North Tonawanda, Nash Road Susan Campbell

North Tonawanda, Open Arms Dyan Regester

Douglas Trafalski

Norwich, Canasawacta Valley Gladys Branagan

Norwood Brian Krawczyk

Palmyra, Cross Creek Josh Francis Jon Trzeciak

Parma, Crosspoint Jonathan Hogue

Perry, Hope Chapel Elaine Southard

Ransomville Daniel Swiatek

Rochester, Community of the Savior Lauren Dickinson Ruth Jones Priscilla Varland

Rochester, Edgewood Dave Francis Nancy McGovern Jeff Meyers Mark Wilson

Rochester, El Shaddai CPP Church Plant – no delegate

Rochester, Heart & Soul Suzanne Rodriguez

Rochester, New Hope Mabel Primus Katrina Wilkins Rochester, Park Ridge

Todd Davis Kirk Kettinger Paul VanGraafeiland

Rose William Liddle

Salamanca Jim Leaskey

Sayre PA, Encounter Brad Fuller Melanie Sumner

South Dayton Dale Hooker

St. Regis Falls Dan Wolfe

Syracuse African Murishi Etienne Ngendakuriyo Stiven

Syracuse, New Life Kelly Kaminski

Tonawanda Wayne Nero

Wampsville, New Beginnings Mike Ano

Sandra Lombardi Brenda Southfield

Warsaw, Valley Chapel Lauren MacConnell Susan Slocum

Webster, Crossroads Ruth Freitas

Webster, FreeChurch.net Leslie Hunter

West Seneca, Living Faith Eric Larsen

Yorkshire Carrie Bartoszek

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Election of

Ministerial and Lay Delegates

to General Conference 2019

Election of Delegates to General Conference 2019: GC19 Delegates are elected at Annual Conference 2018.

Delegate Allocation for Genesis Conference: 9 Ministerial (Clergy) and 9 Lay Delegates This number is based on the total adult church membership in the conference.

Ministerial (Clergy) and Lay Delegates: Ministerial:

o Candidates shall be Elders and members of the annual conference that elected them, both at the time of their election and at the time of the General Conference. BOD ¶4030.B

o By virtue of position, the Superintendent is automatically a Ministerial Delegate to General Conference, as per BOD ¶4030.B

Lay: o Lay delegates must at the time of election and at the time of the General Conference be

members of the church in full relation within the bounds of the conference which elects them. BOD ¶4040.B

Can CMCs be elected as Delegates to General Conference? No. o CMCs cannot be Ministerial delegates. (Ministerial delegates must be Elders.) o CMCs cannot be Lay delegates. (CMCs are not eligible to be lay delegates to Annual

Conference, as per BOD ¶6250.E.1. Same applies for General Conference. )

GC19 Delegate Election process: Each annual conference shall elect an equal number of lay (members in good standing of a conference

church) and clergy (ordained elder) delegates, based on the number of adult lay members in all the annual conference churches as per 2015 FM Book of Discipline. The election for General Conference delegates must be by ballot vote and a majority of those present and voting is necessary for a nominee to be elected. In this election, lay members elect the lay delegates and clergy members of the conference elect clergy delegates (aka dividing the house). Reserve Delegates are elected to be prepared in the event a delegate is unable to serve.

2015 FM Book of Discipline references: BOD ¶4030 – Ministerial (Clergy) Delegates BOD ¶4040 – Lay Delegates

Selection of Nominees “The Genesis Nominating Committee has met throughout 2017-2018 conference year to secure nominees. In addition to finding names for BOA and MEG, we have also been compiling a list of possible nominees for delegates for General Conference 2019. We started with many, many good candidates. We then started paring down so that we might best represent our region. We have intentionally included a variety of ages, both genders, ethnic diversity, people from large churches, mid-size churches and small churches, urban, suburban and rural, from every region of our Conference.” ~Supt. Pam Braman

GC19.org

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Board of Administration

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

The Board of Administration thanks God for the privilege to serve you. Our goal is to support the local churches of the Conference in fulfilling their mission. We monitor the fiscal health of our churches and provide guidance and approvals for property purchases and sales, new construction projects, and renovations costing more than ten percent of a church’s annual budget. The BOA also oversees the conference budget and policies. I am especially thankful for the expertise and commitment of our team and the conference leadership.

The fiscal year ended strong on December 31. We interacted with churches with financial challenges to encourage and help them develop strategies to improve their financial health. Most churches have been faithful in contributing their Fair Share which has enabled the following:

• The superintendent’s leadership and the conference staff’s support

• Office space from which the conference staff, boards, and volunteers can operate

• Annual Conference for worship, training, networking, decision making, and ordination

• One Day training events for pastors and lay leaders

• Scholarships for pastors and seminarians

• Support for church planting and revitalization

• Communications and website

• Support for denominational needs and priorities

• Loans to churches for property, new construction, and renovations through the Genesis Conference Foundation and the Challenge Loan Fund

A summary of our actions is included with this report (see next page). Each action represents a story of God’s work in people’s lives, our churches, and the conference. The decisions made reflect our dependence on God for wisdom and guidance as we seek to be good stewards of all he has entrusted to us. We desire that every church experience fruitfulness in ministry and we are committed to provide support along the way, whether a church is thriving or struggling. When churches face unusual or difficult circumstances we encourage them to convey their needs to the BOA so that we can provide guidance in a timely way.

One item of special interest is that the BOA revised our Conference Policy Manual to reflect our current structure and improve the content for today’s needs. We recommend that the Annual Conference approve the 2018 Edition of the Policy Manual. Please read it thoroughly and submit questions to me prior to Annual Conference at todd.valleychapel@gmail.com.

Thank you for your faithful service to our Lord in the Genesis Conference.

In Christ,

Todd Daningburg

Chairman of the Board of Administration Genesis Conference

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Summary of Genesis Conference Board of Administration (BOA) Actions Conference Year 2017 – 2018

Meetings were held at the Genesis Center, North Chili, NY.

6.15.17 Meeting: Todd Daningburg was elected as BOA Chair and Dodi McIntyre was elected as BOA Vice-Chair. Approved Project Application from Park Ridge FMC, Rochester, for a lift and external ramp.

9.21.17 Meeting: GCF—Genesis Conference Foundation—Annual Meeting was held as part of BOA meeting. Approved loan to Eastside FMC, Fairport, from Challenge Loan Fund for rebuilding space the church uses

for worship & ministry in building it rents.

10.19.17 Meeting: Approved election of Pete Mills as Conference Secretary for conference year 2017-2018. Approved name change request for Akron FMC to new name of “One Church”, a DBA setup. Approved Property Sale Application from Edgewood FMC, Rochester, for sale of its Honeoye Falls

property.

11.16.17 Meeting: Approved 2018 Housing Allowance for Rev. Randy Freeman, Conference Administrator. Approved Genesis Conference Budget for 2018.

11.27.17 Email Vote: Approved 2018 Housing Allowance for Rev. Pamela Braman, Conference Superintendent.

2.15.18 Meeting: Approved current income model for Fair Share for Ransomville FMC. Approved name change request for Jamestown FMC to new name of “Joy Fellowship at Jamestown FMC”,

a DBA setup. Approved having an “Agreed Upon Procedures” Financial Review of 2017 conference financials.

3.15.18 Meeting: Approved continuing current Area MEG structure and current Area MEG personnel for next conference

year. Approved Agenda for Annual Conference 2018 with final revisions to be made by Supt. Braman.

4.26.18 Meeting: Approved policy that in custodial relationships, Genesis Conference will not spend more than what is in

the respective fund balance. Approved a Bank Resolution authorizing establishment and funding of the following bank accounts at

Bank of Castile, Chili, NY branch: Challenge Fund Checking Account, Challenge Fund Savings Account, General Fund Savings Account, and El Shaddai Free Methodist Church Checking Account; and also authorized the following signatories on each of these accounts: Charles R. Freeman, Director of Administrative Services, and Scott Sittig, Genesis Conference Treasurer.

Approved changing insurance carrier for Genesis Conference to Brotherhood Mutual. Approved current income model for Fair Share for Jamestown FMC. Approved nominees for Nominating Committee for election at Annual Conference 2018. Approved 2018 Genesis Conference Policy Manual to present to Annual Conference for its approval.

The Genesis Board of Administration (BOA) is the standing Administrative Committee of the Conference elected by you to care for the business of the Conference between Annual Conference sessions. “This Committee gives strategic planning attention to such ministries as world missions, Christian discipleship, church planting, and social action. It may assign individuals, form task forces and create standing committees to carry out the ministries deemed appropriate for the health and growth of the church.” (¶5200 FM Book of Discipline 2015)

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Administration

Dear friends,

This past conference year has been a very productive one for our team and for the conference. I wish to thank Superintendent Pam and all of the conference leadership for their patience and forbearance with me during a (personally) difficult fall and winter. It has been a joy to work and serve with you. Thank you for your grace when none was certainly earned.

I wish to acknowledge the wonderful contributions of our staff. Judy Cornman has done a beautiful job as Office Manager. More than that…she has skillfully assisted Superintendent Pam in a wonderful transition into her new role. She has been an invaluable resource to our churches, pastors, conference boards, Superintendent Pam, and me. She has also been a great friend to all. Thank you, Judy. Ellen Horton, Conference Bookkeeper, has done an outstanding job upgrading our conference financial system. She has assisted in implementing many excellent recommendations that came from our 2016 Agreed Upon Procedures Review. She has also done a great job assisting in the transition from QuickBooks Premier to QuickBooks Enterprise. The new system is much more capable and better supports the needs of the conference’s financial systems. She has stepped into this powerful system with aplomb.

Scott Sittig has served the conference as Treasurer for a number of years. When we recruited him back to this role after a several year hiatus, it was to be temporary / transitionary. He has continued in that role longer than he anticipated, but has done so with great skill. He has served in this volunteer role with excellence and is one of the key reasons our finances have improved so dramatically.

It has been a pleasure working with the Genesis Conference Board of Administration as we have made great strides forward in policy and systems under Chairperson Todd Daningburg’s skillful guidance and leadership. Well done, all!

It was with great honor that I was allowed to work with Pastor Heritage Munyakuri, and the leadership of El Shaddai Free Methodist Church during their planning, soft launch, and grand opening processes. Much was accomplished to prepare their church, systems, marketing, facilities, and technologies for ministry. They are currently reaching well over 100 refugees from Rwanda, Burundi, and the Congo as well as a number of native born Americans interested in their mission. A huge shout out goes out to Youth for Christ, its Board of Directors, and key supporters who helped make this possible. They have blessed El Shaddai with 2 years of rent free and utility free usage of over 6000 sq. ft. of quality worship, office, and educational space. I have had the very interesting and rewarding opportunity to also work with our other refugee congregations in Syracuse and Buffalo. In fact, Syracuse now has 2 refugee congregations and growth is occurring in both! I haven’t learned much Kinyawanda, Swahili, or Kimbembe, but I have learned much about faith, love, and sacrifice from these faithful followers of Christ!

The greatest joy has been in serving our churches and their leadership. I’ve had the opportunity to work with many of our churches in budgeting, financial systems, and strategic systems consulting; human resources and personnel insurance related issues; legal and property and property insurance issues; building and loan projects; conference and denominational guidelines and processes; boardsmanship, questions, and issues. You have been awesome. Thank you for your faithfulness.

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Other (sometimes) less welcome tasks included working through multiple purchase offers / sales contracts for properties like Wildwood Christian Camp and the former Rome Free Methodist Church. These have been challenging, but fruit is finally being born and I hope that we can move to a successful sales close in both in the very near future.

Faithfully and joyfully yours,

Randy Freeman Director of Administrative Services

Genesis Conference

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Finance

Pastors, Delegates, Colleagues and Friends,

It seems so perfunctory and formal to write and declare the state of the finances of the Genesis Conference is strong! Yet, that is what I must report. Oh well, right?! The faithfulness of churches to contribute through our fair share system is as strong as ever. Through the first fiscal quarter of 2018, we are tracking at well over 99% in terms of our collection rate. Our income for all sources is tracking as a result at over 99%. We completed 2017 at 97% of budgeted income. Thus, we’re trending significantly higher than in the past. We’re not without some difficulties, but conversations with each situation have yielded some progress and are beginning to bear fruit.

First and probably important to everyone’s mind – we do not anticipate any changes to the Fair Share or Pension this coming year. The Fair Share is set by the Conference and will hold steady at 7.5%. The Pension is set by the denomination and they have no plans to make changes to it in the foreseeable future. You should know that you are always welcome to contribute more, and in fact if any church would like to move to a full 10% tithe for Fair Share, the Conference will not wrestle you back to 7.5%. There is precedence for churches giving more, especially from some of our sister annual conferences. However, the system we have now is working well and we anticipate no changes.

For any churches that are interested, it is important to know that we offer two ways to contribute to the Fair Share. There is the existing method, which is based upon 2-year-old income data. There is also a “current income” model, based on actual current month data. Either option can be analyzed for its benefit to you. Those on the current income model are charged an extra .05%, but to date it has still worked in their favor to switch. Why would you switch? If your income has significantly declined in the last 2 years you might be better suited to paying Fair Share on current income where the effective rate of the Fair Share is closer to the goal of 7.5% (or 8% with the current income). Otherwise your effective contribution may be larger as a percentage of your income today. The conference leaders can help you sort it out.

In December the BOA approved a $1.042 million spending plan for 2018. You’ll recall that our fiscal year runs according to the calendar year while our Conference Year runs mid-year to mid-year. As in previous years, we divided the spending into four (4) overall categories. 31.5% of our budget is given for Personnel and Benefits. 9% of our budget has been invested in “growth” – improvement and development of leaders, and church planting. Our largest investment remains in the denominational commitment known as Equal Participation Plan (EPP) at 40%. Rounding out the spending plan are administrative costs for running the Conference office and they constitute 19.1% of our budget. All that equals 99.6% which means that yes, we budgeted a small surplus for 2018, which to date (March 31, 2018) has exceeded budget.

As a Conference we’ve made great strides to fully fund all initiatives. What that means is that things like the TEAM Plant church planting funds are fully available as soon as they are requested. This has not always been the case due to poor cash flow. Other initiatives which the Conference serves as fiduciary agent (some local churches, for instance) are also nearly fully funded. We anticipate that by the end of the Conference year – or end of 2nd Fiscal Quarter in 2018 we will be fully funded for all Conference priorities. We are excited about that and have not been in as good a fiscal position for a very long time.

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There will be some changes to the approved 2018 budget that will be reflected for the second half of the fiscal year. The Superintendent will be making some changes to her support staff and all those changes will be absorbed into the existing bottom line by changing a few line items. We’ll reallocate the line item for leadership development to accommodate some part-time resource positions within the Conference. For 2019, when we reconsider these positions, we’ll have to change some other line items, but in theory all staffing changes will not cost the Conference more than is currently in the budget through a few different lines. The BOA and I will closely monitor this with the Superintendent and will remain as prudent and responsible as we can to hold overall expenses in check.

In accounting terms, we have conducted an “Agreed Upon Procedures” financial accounting (think audit – though it is not the same as a full audit – just close) of our books for the year 2016. We were not able to get another done prior to this Annual Conference, though one has been scheduled soon to review fiscal year 2017. We learned a significant amount from the 2016 review (a difficult year to review because of the deconstruction of NER and the WAVE), and we’ve instituted several recommendations for 2018 that make our reports clearer. We’ve separated items for which we serve as “agent” from items that are part of our operating budget. We’re tracking our payables and receivables in a clearer manner. In general, the financials you’ll review as part of this report should be clear and concise for those that know how to read financial reports. Of course, any questions can be directed to Conference leaders.

The Conference finances and financial procedures are strong. There are good checks and balances. The leadership is frugal, and resources are being put to work in proactive and helpful ways. The goal of the BOA is to make sure resources are spent wisely, and in a way that truly impacts local pastors and churches. That impact is hopefully yielding fruit in growing and healthy churches, and pastors that feel confident and properly resourced to lead their local communities. If there are ways we can serve you better in that regard, I do trust that you will let us know. Our staff is called and committed and serves very sacrificially. I feel confident that this will continue for the foreseeable future.

I’m available for further questions should this report or anything else related to the finances of Genesis Conference raise a question. Thank you for the honor of serving one more year in this role. May we continue to faithfully fulfill our calling to be God’s people wherever we serve.

A Fellow Servant,

Scott Sittig Chair of Finance Committee & Conference Treasurer

Genesis Conference

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Genesis Conference

Foundation

Only two options lay before us at the cross roads. A left hand turn would return us to Seestrasse, the main road we had just travelled in search of our illusive restaurant in Vitznau, Switzerland. Turning right led upwards and higher into the lower Alps where certainly our restaurant couldn’t possibly be located. Left or right: the only two options. Slowly, with feelings of confidence being nonexistent, we turned right onto a narrow, paved road, which quickly turned into a gravel path, complete with switchbacks, sharp drop offs where no guard rails existed, and yet a vista of absolute splendor if one dared take their eyes off the road. Higher we climbed, reaching a point where we questioned turning around, when suddenly around one corner appeared a sign, and the restaurant perched on the side of the mountain. Within minutes, we partook of some of the finest gulyas soup and sausages, resting in peaceful surroundings with an incredible view of Lake Luzern and the Swiss countryside.

In 1915 poet Robert Frost wrote, “I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” Long before Frost even existed, the words of Jeremiah gave us instruction in traveling, or more appropriately in living, which we read in chapter 6 and verse 16. It reads “This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, Godly way, and walk in it. Travel in its path and you will find rest for your souls.” I am convinced that the Swiss countryside with its splendor and the majesty of the mountains will pale in comparison to the end of the journey if we truly walk in the path God has for us.

Life presents countless crossroads in which decisions are necessary. Many are minor while others are major, such as our career, the spouse in which we plan to spend our life with, or where will we live. Financial choices are among the important decisions that one must also make, and the Board of Directors of the Genesis Conference Foundation are grateful to the 109 individuals and churches, who chose and continue to choose the foundation as a piece of their investment strategy, as well as the 18 churches that have utilized the foundation as a source for their ministry borrowings.

As of 12/31/2017 the Genesis Conference Foundation had outstanding loans for churches and ministries within the Genesis Conference with a balance of $3,135,194. The loan rate at year end 2017 continues to be 5.00% fixed. Minimal borrowing activity was seen.

Opposite of typical and traditional banking where funding for loan activity comes from individual, business, and often times municipal depositors, our funding is derived from ministry minded investors within the Genesis Conference of the Free Methodist Church. They may be individual churches, church ministries, or individuals, but aside from a strong return on their investment, a primary goal of many if not all is to invest where the end result is the enhancement and building of the Kingdom of God. Recognizing that these funds in many cases are funds for retirement, funds allocated for various ministry projects, or even savings for college, etc., we do recognize and take our job very seriously when evaluating loan requests offering guidance or direction when necessary or felt pertinent to the performance of the loan and safety and soundness of our Genesis Conference Foundation investors’ funds.

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At fiscal year-end 2017 the Foundation had investors’ dollars totaling $2,836,697, which compares favorably to year end 2016. The rate currently paid on the investments remains at 2.15%, which remains considerably higher than the 1.00% seen with other liquid investments. With the improving economy it is anticipated that increases in this investor rate may be forthcoming in the New Year.

As is true with traditional banking and investments we recognize that there are numerous options and alternatives for your investment dollars and loan funds. We sincerely appreciate the loyalty and commitment of each of our investors, as well as our church and ministry borrowers within The Genesis Conference Foundation.

Officers of the Genesis Conference Foundation Inc. Mark A Merrill, President; Mark Logan, Vice President; and Jon L. Costello, Treasurer

Mark Merrill President

Genesis Conference Foundation, Inc.