President's Annual Report 2004
October 14, 2004
  
    This has been an interesting year for the Association of Christian Churches, but perhaps the most momentous decision was made in April when for the first time in close to a decade and a half the Association hired an Executive Director.  At our April 27th meeting we called Gary Nesdahl to be our new Executive Director.  Gary began May 1st.

    It is our hope that under Gary's leadership we can continue to define our focus and clarify our vision as an Association.  He is off to a great start and it is clear that he increases daily his understanding and knowledge of the position.  It is good to have him on board!

    In 2002 many of you will remember that we held our "Together in Christ - A Dakotas Celebration" joint assemblies here in Sioux Falls.  It was the largest undertaking that the Association had done in recent memory.  It will long be remembered as a grand occasion in which we celebrated together how we make up the various parts of the Body of Christ. 

    The past two years we have been engaged in no less of a monumental undertaking - Hands Across South Dakota.  This was an attempt on our part to help ease some of the difficulties South Dakotans were experiencing because of the drought.

    It is my privilege to tell you that as of this report we have generated $225,930.30 which in turn has generated in-kind support that now totals $551,368.  Not bad for an organization such as ours.  Over half a million dollars and of that support our churches and denominations contributed $149,094 directly.

    We have also continued our work with Children At Risk with this year's main thrust being the repeal of the South Dakota food tax.  We won't know the outcome of that until Election Day.

    I look forward to 2005 and what God has in store for us.  We can only wonder!

    Let me close by saying thank-you to all of you loyal Board members.  It is relatively anonymous work but you all seem to do it tirelessly.  Also thank-you to the participating denominations without whom we would not exist.  And finally let us all give thanks to God from whom all blessings flow.  May God bless!
 
Gene E. Miller
President, A.C.C./S.D.