In December, Pastor Sherman and Mrs. Connie McCormick said farewell to friends and coworkers after working tirelessly for the last four years with passion and enthusiasm to enhance pastoral care and Adventist education in the Minnesota Conference.
In her education work, Connie developed the following acronym–AWAKE (Ambassadors for Christ, Walking in His Steps, Anticipating His Return, Keeping His Commands, Experiencing Great Joy). She encouraged teachers and students alike to be ambassadors for Christ, walking each day in His steps as they anticipate the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ. She also encouraged teachers, students and the school constituency to faithfully keep God’s commandments and experience great joy. Her desire to awaken people so they can really experience great joy in Jesus has been one of her boundless passions.
Connie also brought Outdoor School to Minnesota and engaged children in the study of nature. Each year she attempted to highlight Bible characters or concepts, with emphasis on showing the loving God of creation.
Pastor Sherman is a praying man, and as he visited and prayed with pastors across the conference he also shared thoughts from many of the books he was reading. As Minnesota’s ministerial director, Pastor Sherman was always encouraging our pastors to read and equip themselves for 21st century ministry. Pastor Sherman’s direct ministry to pastors, and his desire to see them press forward and succeed in meaningful ministry wherever they are assigned, will be greatly missed.
This couple leave behind the legacy of having a passionate desire to introduce men and women, boys and girls to the Jesus they love. The Minnesota Conference owes a great deal of gratitude to Sherman and Connie for their selfless commitment to the church and the educational goals of the Seventh-day Adventist church. In addition to their length of service (a combined service record of 64.5 years), we will always remember them for their joy and happiness. They inspired all of us to be AWAKE and cheerful. We pray their legacy will live on, not only in this conference, but in the lives of the many students and church members they served.
