Presidential Thoughts: Bishop Daniel Sánchez

We have seen over and again the ending and the beginning of life. We see this in the death of our parents and the birth of our children. It is always painful to see the end of what was once useful and good, but at the same time, we rejoice at the prospect of new things.

As we saw the closure of our General Convention in Long Beach, California last November, we also saw the end of a chapter – one more among many in our rich apostolic heritage. The new landscape has given rise to the renewal of our vision.

Israel had come to a critical moment of transition. God told Moses to take Aaron and his son Eleazar to the top of the mount.

“And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from t he mount.” (Numbers 20:23)

Eleazar went up the mountain wearing his own clothes, but came back with someone else’s – his fathers. His father’s garments were a symbol of continuity and empowerment. The Apostolic Assembly has received its mandate for continuity and empowerment for the next four years as the new board of directors took the oath of office to function from 2006 through 2010. This duly elected new board was empowered to fulfill God’s mandate as Eleazar had also received his father’s garments on the top of the mount. I am sure that Eleazar recognized his father’s work, much like us, who acknowledge the great work and accomplishments of past administrations. As in Eleazar’s case, he was new on the job, but the garments were the same. The names of the officials may be new, but the work is still the same – to fulfill the will of God until He comes.

As we have begun to tread the beginnings of this new cycle, we covet your prayers that the Lord will give us wisdom and faithfulness to fulfill that which He has entrusted upon us.

God Bless,

Bishop Daniel G. Sánchez
President