Over Presidents’ Day weekend, February 16-18, representatives from nine different branch churches in California, Oregon, and Washington, met in Richmond, California, for special meetings. The guest minister was Wayne Butler from Port Angeles, Washington, and he encouraged all in attendance to “Walk Worthy of God,” the theme for the weekend.

Friday evening began with a casual “meet and greet,” where people from far and near gathered to enjoy food and fellowship. Everyone returned on Saturday morning for a devotional that began with a time of praise and worship. Using the weekend theme from 1 Thessalonians 2:12, Mark Staller, of Tehachapi, California, discussed what it means to “walk worthy.” He also provided practical advice through Scripture, songs, and object lessons. He said walking takes effort and encouraged the group to walk close to God, in a straight line, with the right attitude, and in obedience to His Word—the ultimate guidebook for life. Life has challenges, but believers are not alone because God is with His people (see Isaiah 43:2). A wonderful time of prayer followed with many seeking the Lord for guidance in their daily walks with Him.

The Saturday evening evangelistic service began with a combined orchestra playing “Higher Ground,” followed by a combined youth choir singing “Thy Word.” Victorious testimonies were shared by several individuals. Before the evening message, a young men’s quartet from Sacramento, California, sang “When I Get Carried Away,” and Josh Hancock from Los Angeles, California, sang “If He Hung the Moon.” For the sermon, Brother Wayne took his text from Ephesians 4:1-2. He shared a personal story of his participation in a twenty-mile walk-a-thon as a young boy. Toward the end of the journey, he had an opportunity to hop in a car for the last mile or so. He admitted that he didn’t want to take the easy way out; he wanted to finish what he had started. He admonished the congregation to do the same, to give earnest heed to the things which they have heard (Hebrews 2:1). Thank the Lord, every person has the opportunity to hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” That will happen to those who say yes to the Lord: yes to getting saved and obtaining their deeper experiences, and yes to whatever call God has placed on their individual lives.

Sunday morning, a group from Richmond played “As The Deer” on the hand chimes. A ladies’ trio from Woodlake sang “Be Thou Near to Me,” and before the sermon, Mark Jones from Medford, Oregon, sang “My Worth Is Not in What I Own.” During his message, Brother Wayne shared that during halibut season, he is gone for about fifty-five hours straight, and he makes the most of his time. On the fishing boat, one person’s only job might be to bait hooks while another would be responsible for cleaning fish. He compared this to the Richmond hand chime choir and how each person had two or three chimes that they were responsible to play. Each member was faithful to follow along and play his or her part at the right time. Similarly, believers need to be faithful to do their parts in the Lord’s work.

To begin the final service of the weekend, Mark Budean from Sacramento played a medley of songs about “trust” on his saxophone. The Olson trio then sang “God Is Good” and a Sacramento ladies’ quartet sang “Listen to Our Heart” before the evening message. Brother Wayne spoke of when he was in school and his teacher would grade the class on a curve. This could be dangerous because if he didn’t do well but the rest of the class did worse, he would actually look good. Being compared to others can create a false sense of confidence. He contrasted this to Enoch, who walked with God and God took him because he pleased God. Enoch was not just good compared to other, more sinful people, but he walked faithfully according to God's standards. Brother Wayne also shared about a time when his boat had drifted away from its starting point. When a boat is drifting, the helmsman is not in control and the winds and currents can take him places that he doesn’t want to be. Spiritual drifting happens when worldly things slowly creep into one’s life, moving that one away from where he once was. Brother Wayne encouraged all to hold fast and not neglect God’s great salvation.

A wonderful time of prayer followed the final service. Everyone who attended the special weekend was challenged and inspired to walk worthy and to answer God’s call.