The Garden Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church celebrated a consecration service and mortgage burning on Sabbath, Jan. 7, 2006. Stephen McPherson, Idaho Conference president, officiated along with Rick Roy, Idaho Conference treasurer, and Dennis Parks, Eagle and Garden Valley church pastor. About 70 members and guests attended.
The Garden Valley Church began in the spring of 2001 as an ASI church plant/branch Sabbath School with 13 charter members. The small congregation was blessed with an opportunity to purchase a highly visible property with a single-wide mobile home and a spectacular view.
“After acquiring a mortgage to purchase the land, church members donated their time and talents to build a sanctuary—paying as they went along. The early retirement of this mortgage, in addition to raising the funds required to build a sanctuary, is a testimony to what God can do with a small group of willing hands!” says Dan Ross, head elder.
Sharing Christ in the valley is the focus for church members who have held a New Beginnings DVD evangelistic series and several vegan cooking seminars. The Garden Valley Church, located 50 miles north of Boise, is asking God to provide Bible workers willing to share the truth of Jesus and would like to extend an invitation to dedicated Seventh-day Adventists to consider Garden Valley as a mission field.
Burning the mortgage at the church rededication service are, from left: Gerry Essink, former church treasurer who signed the original mortgage; Dick Guthrie, current church treasurer; Dan Ross, head elder; and Rick Roy, Idaho Conference treasurer.
