Election Time

Two very important elections loom on the horizon.

On November 12-13, during worship, we will vote on the elder/deacon nominees presented to you in this newsletter. The nomination process began in the Spring when our session called out a team to prayerfully consider who they sensed God was calling to serve on session and the diaconate for the next 3 years.  After months of prayer and discussion, I am honored and excited to introduce our slate of nominees.

The elders huddle up in prayer every month, climbing the tree, seeking God’s vision for Pathway Church.   The deacons are on ground zero every weekend, striving to execute the vision of connecting one more to Jesus and the path of discipleship.

Read the bios of each nominee, pray for them and come ready on November 12-13 to vote and celebrate what God is doing among us.

Blake Beavers:

• If you’re married, how many years? I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 12 years.
• Confirm the names and ages of your children and/or grandchildren?  Raymond “Meyer” Beavers – 6 (7 in November), Joseph Beavers – 4
• Which worship service time do you most often attend? Sunday 9:30 AM     
• How long have you been at Pathway? 6 years
• What is your field of profession, where are you employed and for how long? Electric utility industry, employed by United Cooperative Services, 7 years
• Please list current and previous areas of service at Pathway. First group facilitator/Leader, Baptism team, small group leaders resource team, now one campaign Small Group Team.
• What is your primary small group? We belong to the Beavers small group, that consists of married couples with children.
• Tell us about a fun activity or hobby you enjoy doing.  Anything that includes being with my family. We enjoy going to the lake and being on the water.

Kim Garrett:

• If you’re married, how many years? 35 years
• Confirm the names and ages of your children and/or grandchildren?Jordan Garrett, Katie Garrett Bay, husband Franklin and grandson Thomas
• Which worship service time do you most often attend? 11:00 am, but if I’m visiting my grandbaby I love to watch online.         
• How long have you been at Pathway? 18 years
• What is your field of profession, where are you employed and for how long? Licensed Clinical Social Worker currently in private practice. I’ve had many positions in direct care and administratively over my 34 year career. 
• Please list current and previous areas of service at Pathway.  
  Elder two previous times.
  Volunteered with youth for over ten years.
  Went to camp with the youth group a few times.
  Have spoken several times on parenting children and adolescents.
  Small group – we all lead but I’m the designated leader. 
  Subbed in Sunday School, volunteered at PNS, went to Guatemala on a mission trip a few years ago.  
• What is your primary small group? We don’t have a name but our members are the Gehles, the Cockrums, the Lummuses, the Campbells, the Griffins and us.
• Tell us about a fun activity or hobby you enjoy doing. I love going to the gym, reading, hanging out with friends. 

Nathan Higbee

• If  you’re married,  how many years?  21 years 
• Confirm the names and ages of your children and/or grandchildren? Garrett Higbee – 22, Joey Higbee – 16 
• Which worship service time do you most often attend? 9:30 or 11 
• How long have you been at Pathway? 11 years 
• What is your field of profession, where are you employed and for how long? Construction/Sales: Oldcastle 20 years 
• Please list current and previous areas of service at Pathway. Teaching Youth, Finance Team, Deacon, Elder, Carts, Guest Services and others 
• What is your primary small group? My own
• Tell us about a fun activity or hobby you enjoy doing. Relaxing with the family, sporting events (Mavs, Cowboys, Aggies, Stars) , hunting/fishing

Gary Todd:

• If you’re married, how many years? 42 years
• Confirm the names and ages of your children and/or grandchildren?  Aaron Todd – 25
• Which worship service time do you most often attend? 9:30 or 11        
• How long have you been at Pathway? 23 years
• What is your field of profession, where are you employed and for how long? Director of Security, PNM Resources (electric utility) – 14 years
• Please list current and previous areas of service at Pathway. SALT/Tech Team, Scout Charter Organization Rep, Sr. High Youth Leader, Deacon 
• What is your primary small group? Men’s group, Wednesday morning
• Tell us about a fun activity or hobby you enjoy doing.    Bike riding; Coaching job interview skills.

Keith Ramon:

• If you’re married, how many years? 11 years
• Confirm the names and ages of your children and/or grandchildren?We have four children: Marcos (16), Hansel (14), Benjamin (12), Carmelo (6). 
• Which worship service time do you most often attend? 9:30        
• How long have you been at Pathway? 5 years
• What is your field of profession, where are you employed and for how long? I have been employed with the City of Burleson as a Equipment Service Technician II for 5 years.
• Please list current and previous areas of service at Pathway. I currently serve in Children’s Ministry as the story teller for the 11:00 hour. I also serve in student ministry as a 9th grade boys small group leader.
• What is your primary small group? We are currently doing life in a small group with what started as the Young’s and slowly transitioned to the Tackett’s group because life happens and kids keep us all busy.
• Tell us about a fun activity or hobby you enjoy doing. I have many hobbies but my favorite is probably hunting.

Stefanie Everitt

• If  you’re married,  how many years?  Not married
• Confirm the names and ages of your children and/or grandchildren? Children: Austin (35), Brittany (33), Adam (25), Ashton (23) Grandchildren: Santino (5), Christiano (3), Alessandra (1), Fabiana (1 month)
• Which worship service time do you most often attend?  I attend/serve at all three services on Sundays.
• How long have you been at Pathway? First came in 1986 as a teenager. Moved away but came back regularly 6 years ago. Have always been a member.
• What is your field of profession, where are you employed and for how long? Teacher with Burleson ISD for 19 years.
• Please list current and previous areas of service at Pathway. Served on Guest Services team for 3 years. Became a Coordinator for Guest Services, and have been serving in that capacity for 3 years.
• What is your primary small group? Lisa & Leray Davis
• Tell us about a fun activity or hobby you enjoy doing. Love anything outdoors, watching college football and the best is playing with the grandkids.

On November 8, the polls will open on Election Day for state and federal midterm elections.  Early voting has already begun.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of you voting.  If we agree that the best definition of love is to will and work for the good of the other, voting is an act of love for our Nation.  It is how you work and will the good for America.

God knows we need people of character in office who are working for the good of our battered but beloved country.  There is much at stake.  Prayerfully study the issues and the candidates. I urge you to not blindly vote based on any partisan platform but for the candidates who best represent Kingdom of God values, who will work for and will the good of America as a whole and not their own personal bias.

Be an educated and informed voter, not someone who has drunk the Kool Aid of any party or politician.

Get to know the candidates on both sides of the ticket.  Do not be persuaded by ads that defame their opponent.  Instead of focusing on what the candidates are against, focus on what they are for.  Best you can, learn about their character and their leadership ability. Learn about their willingness and ability to collaborate with people from all parties.  Learn about their faith and how their faith is lived out in real life including how they will vote. Learn and pray, learn and pray, learn and pray some more. Take Jesus with you into your polling station and lean on him as you vote for each candidate.

Both November 8 and November 12-13 are important elections as we get to participate in helping God bring up there down here, heaven to earth, heaven to Pathway Church, heaven to the United States of America.

May God continue to bless Pathway Church and may God bless America.

I am praying for you. Please pray for America and God’s will to be done.

Rick