"There are times and moments in our lives and ministries that have a profound impact on us. The ordination process and ceremony for Carlos Gonzalez was just such a time," says Reverend Rick Seltzar of Grace Bible Fellowship. After approximately ten months of preparation, the event took place at Betania church on January 12th, 2013.  The church was full including a panel of six pastors and missionaries. The service was bilingual. After about two and half hours, the church accepted the recommendation of the council for Carlos's ordination.  

As the church shared testimony as to Carlos' integrity and ministry, the emotion was palatable. Pastor Rick gave the charge of ministry and the ordination council laid hands and prayer over Carlos and Maritza.  The previous Pastor Nunez participated as well and gave his blessing in prayer and ordination support.  Following the presentation of Carlos' ordination certificates (one in English and one in Spanish), Pastor Jose Esparza served communion with the leaders and the church celebrated the blessings and goodness of God.  The day was culminated with a wonderful meal prepared by the ladies of the church.  There was much celebration and fellowship. 

Pastor Rick speaks of the unity, love, and support felt during the event, "This was the association being the association." The counsel was comprised of pastors from the area churches, a local missionary, as well as the support of Steve Engram, SWCC regional executive, Pastor Glen Connell of Valley Baptist Church, Reverend Tom Sawyer and Reverend Rick Seltzer from Grace Bible Fellowship, Pastor Jose Esparza from Mexico, and Pastor Nunez of Betania Church.  All who gathered spoke of what an incredible blessing it was to be a part of Carlos' ordination. 

 

Sometimes new faces appear in your church. You recognize them quite distinctly because, well, your congregation is quite small. At Beryl Junction, Connie and Jean were a new song to the little congregation. Previously attending a church of over 12,000 people in Enterprise, Florida, the couple brought with them high hopes for mighty movement in the small body. Since they had been involved in music ministry, the summer they arrived they proposed a Christmas program. And so it was on Saturday, December 1st at 7:00pm, Beryl Junction came to life in light to share the Light of the World.

 

Preparation was done with care and attention to detail. Pastor Arnold himself was up a ladder unscrewing the candle light bulbs in the church's beautiful chandeliers so that the ambiance would be just right - one candle instead of three was perfect. Jean installed dimmers to the circuits. The effect was quite... illuminating! A committee of volunteers had spent a day decorating the church.  One lady set up several dozen nativity scenes which had been collected by her late mother.  The Christmas tree was set up, and a lighted garland stretched across the bottom of the platform.  Someone hung a beautiful Christmas quilt on one wall.  Christmas wreaths hung on the doors welcomed visitors and lights on the walkway drew the weary.

The program lasted exactly one hour. Pastor offered the welcome and invocation. Jean selected a number of Christmas songs, mainly traditional carols. Someone donated a large flat screen tv so that the lyrics could be displayed and a new sound system was purchased for the event. Pastor Arnold wove Scripture passages between the carols. Using the KJV, the prose of the narrative reached out to LDS visitors that may have been in attendance. Lou Ann, the pastor's wife, sang "O Holy Night" as a solo, while she and Connie did "Silent Night" as a duet.  Connie and Jean sang "The Prayer" and Jean sang "Joseph's Song" as a solo, while holding in his arms a life-size doll. To conclude the cantata, Jean gave the benediction, including an invitation to recite with him the sinner's prayer. An invitation for refreshments and fellowship followed as  several people contributed cookies and candy, lemonade, hot chocolate, and hot cider. 

"People are still talking about the event!" says Pastor Arnold. There were forty five people in attendance that evening. That may not sound like many but that is double the size of the congregation! Many of the visitors came as a result of personal invitation. The afterglow of the five candles lit that evening still remains months later. However small, Beryl Junction is a city on hilll and their light shines through all of their faces.