Looking Back,
Looking Forward
At this time of year, it is good to look back and assess the year just ended. We also look forward with hope and resolve for the new year ahead. What a wonderful year we had had in 2019, and 2020 is filled with possibilities and opportunities.
2019 Highlights
So many good things were accomplished in 2019 as we focused on following Jesus and as we worked on the goals in the Area Plan. I have continually been amazed, grateful, and humbled by the tremendous people we have in the Akron Stake and how much the members love our Heavenly Father and His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.
Here are some of the highlights for 2019 from our efforts on the Area Plan Goals:
Temple Work
– 512 members submitted ancestors names for temple ordinances (an increase of 60 from 2018)
– The number of active temple recommend holders increased
Missionary Work
– Number of new converts increased to 53 in 2019
– Number of missionaries increased to 35 in 2019 (21 new missionaries called to serve in 2019)
– We now have 22 proselyting missionaries, two young service missionaries, and 11 church service missionaries
Ministering
– Ministering interviews increased (over 60% for brethren and over 80% for sisters). Go Sisters!
Youth
– 95 youth submitted ancestor names for temple ordinances – great!
– 113 youth attending seminary
– Number of young men holding the priesthood increased
Of course, these are just a few of the wonderful things that were measured as part of the Area Plan. There were thousands of kind acts of “pure religion” that are recorded in our hearts and in heaven. May God bless each member of the stake for those Christ-like acts of service and love.
Anticipating 2020
We look forward with excitement for the new year and the new decade.
The First Presidency has asked us to focus on the following for 2020:
Basic Gospel Principles
– Loving God with all our heart and our neighbor as ourselves
– Having faith in Jesus Christ and embracing the gift of His infinite Atonement
– Repenting daily and partaking of the sacrament in order to have the Holy Ghost with us
– Strengthening home-centered and Church-supported gospel learning
Priorities to further the work of salvation and exaltation
• New Children and Youth Program
• Gathering Israel on both sides of the veil – “Greatest work on the earth today”
• Conducting effective ministering interviews
• Rejoice in the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the 200th anniversary of its commencement; continue to use the revealed name of the church
As a stake presidency, we will do our best to focus on these items in 2020 and invite each member of the stake to join in the invitation of our Prophet and the First Presidency.
We will continue to focus on the Area Plan and invite/challenge each member to read from the Book of Mormon daily, as invited by our prophet.
May God bless each member of our stake as we seek to follow Jesus and strive to become like Him.
Akron Ohio Stake News 