On September 22-24, 2023, a group of 60 people, including 19 treasurers from English-speaking churches and 8 treasurers from Hispanic churches, gathered at Camp Alamisco in Dadeville, AL for the annual Gulf States Treasurer’s Retreat.
The event, which had the theme 'Casting Your Net', aimed to encourage and equip local church treasurers in their roles, while also giving them the opportunity to unplug, grow in Christ and share time with their families.
The Gulf States Conference (GSC) Treasury team organized the weekend to include inspiring and uplifting messages from Bass Memorial Academy Treasurer, Mike Troxell, as well as training seminars and social events.
To bring life to the theme, Mike Troxell invited attendees to cast their nets with a clear mind while following Christ’s example.
After lunch and a boat ride on Lake Martin, the group headed back for afternoon workshops, including Mike Troxell’s BMA Opportunities, which explored ways to encourage Gulf States Conference young people to attend Bass Memorial Academy through scholarship opportunities available to local churches and specified financial support.
Additionally, Gwen Speak, GSC treasurer, and Brian Halley, GSC IT & audit director, presented a workshop on protecting our church from scams and check fraud. Finalizing the session, Nefty Franco, GSC associate treasurer and Ruwie Vazquez-Juarez, GSC treasury executive assistant, lead out a Q&A session regarding insurance and policy renewal.
When asked how he experienced the weekend, Bob Kimbro, Milton SDA Church treasurer expressed, “This is the second retreat we have attended. It has been a beautiful weekend here at Camp Alamisco, as we continue to learn more on what’s going on as treasurers.”