Larry Kirkpatrick Ordained to the Gospel Ministry 23 June 2001 at Springville Utah

Having served since 1994 as licensed missionary and then licensed minister, Pastor Larry Kirkpatrick was ordained at the Springville Utah camp meeting of the Nevada-Utah Conference on June 23, 2001. A special ordination service was held in the pavilion at 4:00PM on Sabbath afternoon. Dr. P. Gerard Damsteegt arrived on Friday from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and gave the event sermon.

For the Kirkpatricks, the event is an important waymark. Years of frequently outspoken writings had led some to doubt whether he would ever be ordained. But in accordance with the plan of the gospel, God superintended all matters and brought it to pass. Now the full confidence of the leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is vested in Elder Kirkpatrick. The Church has now spoken in public recognition and support of his ministry. Another conservative minister stands today in harness, seeking faithfully to serve.

The Kirkpatricks invite your prayers as they go forward to new challenges. On July 1 2001 Pastor Kirkpatrick commences to serve in the Southeastern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists at the Mentone Church. Everyone on the planet is invited to be present there on Sabbath July 7.

Below find the text of the ordination service in three parts. First, Jim Brackett's Presentation of the candidate, followed by Dr. Damsteegt's sermon. Next, the charge to ministry given by Elder Walter Wright, with the candidate's response and then presentation by President Moore. Know that all have spoken better of me than they ought, and that I treasure the confidence bestowed on me by my brethren, unworthy and unprofitable as I am.

Presentation of Candidate. Eld. Jim Brackett:

It's my privilege to present our candidate today, and his wife, Larry and Pam Kirkpatrick. When I first came here to the Conference Larry was at the Seminary, and I didn't have the opportunity to meet him until he came to the district where he is now. How many are here today from Price, Moab, or Castle Valley--can I see your hands? [Amens]. Its good to have you here, and others as well. Thank you for joining with us. We have the first elders of all three churches here on the platform, and we are thankful that they could be with us today.

Larry is a dedicated pastor. I was contacted by one of his elders recently actually who said, "You know, when you have a pastor that comes to the district who doesn't visit the saints, it seems like pretty soon you have fires all over the place burning here and there." But he said, "you know, that's not the case with Larry. He's in the homes, he's in contact with the people, and you know, we don't have any fires burning here." I'm thankful for Larry's faithful service there.

My wife and I have had a number of opportunities in the past two years that they've been here in the district, to fellowship with them. And we have been greatly blessed by those times together with you and your family.

Larry is a little bit older than our ordinary candidate because he was not raised as a church member. He spent a year at Walla Walla, then finished his undergraduate work at Southern University and after being here in our field for awhile went to the Seminary for his masters degree. He is a scholar in his own right. Normally we don't call people scholars until they have a doctoral degree, but Larry is a very serious student, and I know that those of you who are his parishioners know that. There have been several times when I call up Larry to find out something to find out something, and have been blessed by the work that he's done.

He has had a great interest in studying the Mormon faith, and in trying to understand how we might reach these precious people, not only in great numbers up and down the valley, but in many cities and towns in our Conference in Utah as well as in Nevada. And he has enough material there is probably going to be a book forthcoming before long to give us the insights he has gained on how we might work with these dear people. many of them, beloved, are looking wistfully toward heaven--I know you know that. I appreciate the burden that Larry has had for these people.

Larry has done scholarly work in some controversial areas. Some of you probably know that unfortunately for us, he's actually accepted a call to the Southeastern California Conference. Now they have a little different view of ordination than we do in this Conference. And Larry was blessed by our interest in ordaining him here. But I understand that when his name came up before the Conference committee, there were some who had been reading articles on his website, and I think there were some eyebrows raised. But it's always good to have people studying isn't it, and challenging us? And as young as Larry is, he has not feared to do that. And I'm blessed by his dedication. I don't think Larry has anything in his heart except to know and understand the Lord's will, and by God's grace to do that in his life and to help his paritioners do the same.

He's done work in evangelism, most recently in Carbon. Probably most of you have never heard of Carbon, have you? It's a little town outside of Price. I was very interested to watch this happen. It reminded me a great deal Larry of when I had my first evangelistic meeting as a pastor. I did some earlier in my life, but usually folks, you're preparing that morning what you're going to preach that night, and it just is strange how that seems to happen to us the first time we do a meeting, and I think Larry was struggling with some of that. But the Lord blessed, and he has great desires in his heart to continue this work.

It's a real privilege to me Larry, to bring you before your people and the other visitors that are here today, and my prayers and my wife Neva's are with you and Pam. We just wish you'd change your mind [about going to Southeastern], that's all. But Southeastern needs missionaries, I'm sure; and Larry, we pray that the Lord will bless your work there.

Ordination Sermon. Dr. P. Gerard Damsteegt:

It is a privilege for me to address this ministerial couple, Larry and Pamela Kirkpatrick, at this time. I prayed as to what I should relate, and therefore I would invite you to turn to Second Timothy, chapter four. The message is straightforward and very simple, yet profound. Look at chapter four, verse two: it says here, "Preach the word!" Larry, if you keep on preaching the Word, the way the Lord has indicated here through his servant the apostle Paul, you have nothing to fear.

It's interesting in my study here of this theme, at the commission of a young preacher Timothy and his challenges, to ask why does Paul say at this part of the letter, "Preach the Word"? In chapter three the Bible states that in the last days (verse one), perilous times will come. There's something on the horizon that will disturb the church. And there's no doubt about it that you will have a similar experience. Satan wants to uproot your church, destroy its peace, and tear you apart.

Those people in the last days are not simply secular individuals, but here in verse four it says they are "traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying its power." Oh yes, they pretend to be Christians. They may even pretend to be Seventh-day Adventists. But they put fire under you. What are you going to do? "Preach the Word." Don't argue. Don't get into major controversies, but preach the Word. And the Word will reveal what is inside your opponents heart. The Word will reveal what is inside of your heart, and Pamela's heart.

Here in verse eight, those individuals were resisting the truth. And what is now the minister's commission? Verse 10: "But you have carefully followed my doctrine and manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, and perseverance." Don't give up, Larry and Pam, no matter how tough your ministry becomes. Remember that if you follow this counsel, things will get hot. In fact, it says in verse 12, "yes, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." My fellow ministers, my fellow church members, if you have never experienced some form of persecution, perhaps it is because you don't live the godly lifestyle. This is what the Lord says here. "All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." And it does not say "except in the last days." There is nothing like that.

How are we going to face the persecution, trials and temptations, that you will experience in your own family and in your work, and others in the Conference, at the Seminary, and in the field? Yes, Pamela and Larry, here in verse 14 is the answer: "Continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from your childhood you have known the holy Scriptures, and they are able to make you wise unto salvation through the faith that is in Christ Jesus."

Now Larry, you haven't had this privilege [knowing the Scriptures from youth], and so you should stay closer to the Lord than ever before. Closer to His words. Because how would you answer all the opposition? Through the Word. Therefore, preach the Word. Paul's counsel continues here, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable." For what? For "doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness." So, what more do you need in helping your congregation? Everything is there! And if you and your wife commit yourselves daily to the Lord Jesus Christ, pleading for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, who will oppose you? Who will? Only the enemies of the Word.

Scripture continues, "That the man of God may be complete or perfect, thoroughly equipped for every good work." This is the challenge of the new minister. And now you are on your own, in a new Conference; in a Conference who's ideas may be sometimes radically different from you. What are you going to do? Don't fight and search for controversy. Preach the Word! And the Holy Spirit will manifest Himself in such a way in your ministry as you have never experienced it before. Don't give up. Every day plead with God for a new baptism of the Holy Spirit. For you, your wife, and your children. Satan will try to destroy your family; there's no doubt about that in my mind.

Be faithful. Why are you to be faithful, no matter what? Chapter four verse one states, "I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who will judge the living and dead at His appearing and kingdom." Attention! The judgment hour is coming--it is coming! The Lord is coming, and you are the shepherd, and there is your flock. Can you guide them? Can you prepare them in the fear of the Lord, to stand and not fall in the day of the Lord?

Remember friends and pastors, that is what we have to do; prepare a people to stand in the day of the Lord. Fortify them through the Word with the Scriptures. Don't ride hobbyhorses; don't ride hobbyhorses and go over them again and again. No; rather, go through the Scriptures with a breadth that expands the minds of your people. And may it have a sound Adventist ring [Amens]. When people enter your church, they should not hear a message that you can hear in the Baptist Church; the Presbyterian Church; the Methodist Church; or the Church of God; no, it should have the ring of the Adventist Church friends [amens]. This, Larry and Pam, you need to proclaim with vigor. But not in your strength. Only through the baptism of the Holy Spirit day by day. And friends, the sky is the limit of your progress with Jesus.

This is what you have to face. And I can tell you this from personal experience since the time I received the charge to the gospel ministry. From the various places where I have beenÑwe have been in the mission field for many years and now we have come back to the USÑwe have wrestled with all kinds of challenges. Now we are in the Seminary, still facing challenges. Don't think that Satan leaves the Seminary alone. If there is any institution he wants to destroy, it is the Seminary, where the young ministers are being taught. Over the years I have taken positions on the basis of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy because of my convictions, that may not seem popular. But I can do nothing else; I have to follow my conscience. I cannot stand compromise. If I know the truth is attacked, in kindness and love, I have to speak up.

Must we be silent? No friends. If Jesus and His word is attacked, God has you. Larry, I hope that you will not compromise. But when you defend the truth, do it all with love and kindness. The spirit with which you respond to all the forces around you determines what you are. And if you are loosing your cool friends, if you get angry, you have lost the battle.

Hear then the counsel to Timothy. The apostle Paul gives the advice in chapter two verse 24, concerning the qualifications of a good minister. "He is a servant of the Lord, and he must not quarrel. Don't seek controversy, but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient and in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance so that they may know the truth, so that they may come to their senses and the snare of the devil having been taken captive by him to do his will."

Larry, that is your calling. Be gentle, kind, with the Spirit of Jesus.

I have been confronted by many on certain issues, and I've always replied, "would you like to help me? Here is the Word; let's make an appointment and share from the Word, share from the Spirit of Prophecy, where I have been wrong, and I am willing to change." But don't be surprised that very few will come to you ever, with the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy to set you straight. Don't be discouraged. Give them the opportunity to fellowship with you. Invite them for a meal. And never be disappointed in them, no matter how much they disappoint you.

Support your leadership even if you don't agree. Remember the example of David, when Saul went away from God, with all kind of evil schemes he tried to get rid of David, seeking his life. And what did David do? He always upheld king Saul. He had the opportunity to get rid of him, yet he did not. Because this leader was God's anointed. And if I disagree with the General Conference President, or my own Dean, or the President of the University, I still have to uphold those men. Unless the Lord would remove them. And so never let anyone accuse you of undermining leadership.

Be very careful what you do with your web site. it can be a blessing; but if you say the wrong things it can be a curse. And you don't want anybody to be led astray. Always let it be so, that when people read what you have written, that they see the Spirit of Jesus. I can praise my wife for keeping me on the straight and narrow. Sometimes I write things that are a little bit sharp although I don't think they are sharp. But before I publish anything, I give my manuscript to my wife. She goes through it with a red pencil, and sometimes half of it disappears! Then I have a talk with my wife, and we discuss and discuss; and I have generally--not all the time--but in most cases followed her advice. It has been a blessing. Because afterwards, five or six years later, when I read what I have written, I say, no, I am glad I listened to my dear wife.

And so remember, Pam and Larry, you are a team. You Larry, are the spiritual leader, as the Bible says you ought to be. But Pam, remember, like Deborah in Israel, you can be the mother in the next church. And that is what ladies especially want; they look up to a pastor's wife and expect great things. Now, the world may tempt you in getting all kind of jobs. I can praise the Lord that my wife has never fallen into the temptation of taking an outside job, but my wife and I have teamed together. And a rich harvest of souls has been the result, whether we were in evangelism, in teaching, or whatever we did. Pam remember this. And if you can do it at all, don't get a job outside your husband's ministry, but be associated with him in everything he does.

Build each other as a marvelous team for the Lord, even if the Conference doesn't pay you. If you financially you can manage it, do it. I can speak from personal experience. Frequently we could barely manage. But the Lord blessed us. Even up till today, my wife and I are still a team, no matter what we do. That makes a powerful witness in God's work.

What do you have to face Larry? In the near future you have to face many things. Let me tell you an experience and I don't know how tough it will be for you. But about four weeks ago, I was in the Waldensian valleys with the Secretary from the Pennsylvania Conference and a whole group of ministers. And we were visiting the Waldensian Valleys in Torre Pelicci. And from our hotel, you could look at a high mountainÑthe famous Cataluzzo. This mountain has a crest on top of it, and just beneath the top there is a little shelter.

Shortly after the counter-reformation, at the Council of Trent, when the Catholic Church had decided to exterminate all Protestants in Catholic territories, armies were recruited and went to northern Italy into the Waldensian Piedmont valleys. These people were driven into the mountains where they were hiding just near the top. Unfortunately they were discovered. And very, very sad to say, but what happened is that men, women, and children, even the older people, were thrown down off that mighty cliff, and below there were many mangled bodies piled up. This was reported throughout Europe. When the famous English poet Milton heard it he wrote his famous sonnet, crying out

"Avenge O Lord, Thy slaughtered saints, who's bones lie scattered on the alpine mountains cold; even them that kept thy truth so pure of old. When all our fathers worshipped stocks and stones, forget not, in Thy book record their groans; who were Thy sheep, and in the ancient folds slain by the bloody Piedmontese, that rolled mother with infant down the rocks. Avenge O Lord!"

You see a voice in unison with the cry of the souls under the altar during the fifth seal. "Avenge O Lord." Larry, always remember, that this cry will go on to the end of time. But remember, the Lord is the avenger, not you. Always keep your humility. It may go against all your natural inclinations, but they need to be crucified, day by day, and the Holy Spirit needs to be invited. Larry and Pam, your mission is clearly revealed, as was the mission of the ancient Waldensians, to defend the truth.

In Revelation 10 you find the scenario of the last day church. The church that is going through to the very end. And this church, Larry, is faced with a very unique experience. Here John heard the voice from heaven, in Revelation 10:8, "And he spoke to me, saying, go, take the little book in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth. And I went to the angel and said to him, give me the little book. And he said, take and eat it. And it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be sweet as honey in your mouth. So I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter."

We know that this is the historical experience of our people. If you are not a member of a church that is based on this experience, then you are not in the right church. Remember that. Our pioneers had a terrible disappointment. They proclaimed the soon coming of Jesus in 1844. And yet the message after the disappointment turned into bitterness. But that was not the end. The next verse says, "You must again prophesy about many people, nations, tongues, and kings."

See Larry, this is your mission. After the disappointment we still had to go on to preach and proclaim--but what? In a nutshell, the next verse tells the message: "Then I was given a reed, like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, arise and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship there." (Rev 11:1) Where is the temple of God? In heaven. The heavenly sanctuary! And it was after the disappointment that the heavenly sanctuary became prominent. And it was the light streaming form the heavenly sanctuary that led us through the disappointment and led us to the three angel's messages.

Larry, this is your commission to preach. Preach the word. But it centers in the heavenly sanctuary, the three angel's messages, and the call to worship the Creator. Jesus is finishing His majestic work in the heavenly sanctuary. Places are being prepared in the heavenly Jerusalem. And are our people ready? Are you the watchman, that prepares your people for this great event, or will you try to keep everybody happy and finally fail in the task to prepare? And this the challenge that you have, Larry and Pam.

Larry and Pam, the challenges that you have are overwhelming. In 2 Timothy chapter 4 it shows here what is coming in the last days. After preaching the Word the apostle says, "be ready" (chapter four verse two). "Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke , exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desire, because they have itching ears they will heap up for themselves teachers. They will turn their ears away from the truth." They will follow what? "Fables"! Preach the Word, in season or out of season. Do you know what that means? Whether the people think it is convenient or not, preach the Word! Because you don't know that if you do not share the Word, a soul may be lost.

"Convince, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering." Now you may have to work on this Larry. Be longsuffering, kind, gentle. But present the Word in you are teaching. And then your flock will prosper. And if you have difficulties in your part of the country, give us an e-mail and we will try in the Michigan Conference to do something for you. Because we like people like you. And if you would go on the scholarly bent, come to the Seminary and we will do some more research. But remember, preach the word, in season, out of season. And this is the commission that the Lord has given you. And always listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Ellen White has indicated that in the last times every wind of doctrine will come into the church. And will you be able to stand and in kindness reveal the truth to the people?

Ellen White, in the third volume of the Testimonies, page 281, says--and this is a challenge for each one of our administrators and preachers--here it is: "If God abhors one sin above another, of which His people are guilty, it is doing nothing in case of an emergency. Indifference and neutrality in a religious crisis, is regarded of God as a grievous crime, and equal to the very worst type of hostility against God." We are in a time when we need to hear the clear word--what do you say? [Hearty amens] And this, my friends, is your commission and all of ours, including myself. I needn't fear that if I refuse to follow what everyone else is saying, I might loose my career in the denomination, because my career is in Jesus' hands, no matter what will happen. Don't be afraid. But always have kindness.

Your success, Larry, is found in Galatians 2:20. If you experience this day by day, the Lord will abundantly bless you. Paul says, "I have been crucified with Christ; it no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life that I now live I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Larry, day by day, be crucified with Christ. And if you are not crucified with Christ, then your message will not be the message that Christ wants you to have. Day by day, it will take a tremendous struggle. You have certain qualities in you that may try to assert themselves, and the Lord says, "No, not yet Larry. The loud cry has not yet come." Don't give the loud cry before it comes, or you will cause yourself persecution. But when people hear you Larry, they should hear the voice of Jesus. [amens]. this is a lesson for every one of us, to be daily crucified.

Support your ministers. Support your Conference administration. Pray for them instead of criticizing them. May God bless this wonderful couple, is my prayer. Amen.

Ordination Prayer. Eld. Robert Hancock:

Elder Robert Hancock invites ministers forward for ordination prayer, and then speaks in prayer:

"Gracious God, Father of us all; before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God. Father, have made us your people, a kingdom of priests. You have called all of us to be witnesses to the world of Your grace and power. You have called some of us to be pastor-teachers--shepherds of Your people. We Your people have recognized this call in this young man who kneels before you now. We thank You Father for giving to Larry deep convictions regarding truth and error. We thank You for giving to Him the courage of His convictions.

We thank You for giving to Larry a companion who shares his convictions. We ask Father, that You grant to Larry and Pamela that humility which alone qualifies us to be the leaders of Your people. We ask that You grant to them compassion for the lost. We ask Father that the concern for people will always in their hearts and ministry supercede their concern for principles. May they never sacrifice human beings for whom you died for some great principle. There is no principle greater than love for those for whom You died. There is no truth of greater consequence than that the people for whom You died are Your greatest concern.

And so we pray Father, that in these difficult times, when the church faces many challenges within and without, when the church faces danger of fracturing and division, that You will grant to Larry and Pamela that deep relationship with You, that great commitment to Your word, that will keep them on course, so that their people will find in their leaders a safe leader. These young people will make mistakes. We all do. Grant to them then the humility to acknowledge their errors. The courage to acknowledge them, and the faith and the trust to continue in the work to which You have called them.

Now father, as we place our hands upon Larry and Pamela, in humility, and in the name of Jesus, we pray for the anointing of Your Holy Spirit. O Father, without the baptism of Your Spirit, our words are mere babblings. Our ministry is in danger of misleading others. And so we ask that in this sacred moment of dedication, of ordination to the high calling of gospel ministry, that this young man and this young woman, be bound together in love and commitment to You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Ordination Charge. Eld. Walter Wright:

I charge you to minister as a servant. And by ministering as a servant you minister as Jesus ministered. As a matter of fact, the more time you spend with Jesus, the more like Jesus you will become. And so spend time with Him.

I charge you as a minister as a shepherd, being the undershepherd of the Lord Jesus Christ, you are the keeper of the flock. The tenderness and compassion and caring that He would exhibit, it is now your privilege to exhibit. I charge you as a minister, to be a watchman. And a watchman does in fact keep watch, and by the grace of God, and the inspiration of His Holy Spirit, dangers will be pointed out to you that you can lead the sacred flock around. God will accompany you in that ministry.

I charge you to minister as a teacher. Maybe one of your greatest responsibilities will be to teach and prepare the flock to do the work of soul-saving, and sharing the love of Jesus wherever they are. That of course also brings a lot of joy to your heart, because you will see tremendous results as you do that work of teaching. The poet has summarized this situation this way:

"We bid thee welcome in the name of Jesus our exalted Lord. Come as a servant. So He came. And we receive thee in His stead. Come as a shepherd. Guard and keep His fold from hell and earth and sin. Nourish the lambs and feed the sheep. The wounded heal. The lost bring in. Come as a watchman. Take thy stand on the tower amidst the sky, and when the sword comes on the land, call us to fight and warn, to fly. Come as a teacher sent from God, charged His whole counsel to declare. Lift O're our ranks the prophets rod, while we uphold thy hands with prayer."

And when your work is ended, brother Larry, may you say with Paul, I have fought a good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith; finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge will give to me on that day, and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing. I charge you my brother with this awesome ministry. And my counsel to you, while you serve, never, ever, lose your joy. God bless you.

Candidate's Response. Eld. Larry Kirkpatrick:

Elders, pastors, brethren and sisters and friends: I want to accept the charge that has been placed upon myself and my wife. Previous nights I've been reading this passage in Timothy, and I felt very small. In fact, each time I read it, I felt smaller and smaller. And I recall one young person told me recently that there is a show on television called, "The invisible man." O, who is sufficient for these things! None of us, apart from our God. Before God and my brethren, I submit my determination to preach the Word. This living Word only can make living saints; therefore it must be preached. This we aim to do. Along the pathway, God has put workers. And often the workers hadn't planned it this way. But God planned it this way.

We are charged to be in season and out, to reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. This also we shall do. If you do not and I do not there will be no church, no remnant, no one to stand on Mt. Zion in the end with our Lord Jesus Christ. The third angel's message will never come to fruition. But we will preach the word, abhoring soft things and premature words of peace.

Did you say the time will come or has come, when sound doctrine will be unendurable? We will be sound so that others may be sound; our Jesus longs to come for His people. We will watch in all things, endure afflictions, and do the work of an evangelist. By God's grace we are making full proof of our ministry. We will fill the place our heavenly Father has called us to fill amidst whatever slings or arrows are launched at us.

We linger not here with piles of words. History has heard many words from many mouths, and many mouths have been stopped. Over time, most of the large words have been shown to be cotton candy. And this is no time for cotton candy. The jolly words have echoed and faded away into nothingness. The smooth things have done their destruction and gone their way. All the ages of the church have had their fill of the emptiness of man's words and jokes and jollies. God calls to His people and says quo vadis--"where are you going?" Therefore, this only shall I say:

No soul in this pavilion is called to a common ministry. Our mandate as Seventh-day Adventists is distinct and unequivocal. We are called to live and give the third angel's message at the end of time, to lead souls to Jesus for restoration. This, by God's grace we shall do, seeking the empowerment of His Holy Spirit. God's love still speaks; His Church still speaks. We commit ourselves to the work of the ministry and of making the Church of God the pillar and ground of the truth wherever we are, by means only of the power of Jesus. We are behind in our work my brethren. We can hasten the return of Jesus. God grant that we shall stop limping, halting between two opinions, and go forward into the waiting arms of our Lord. We, all of us, have come to the kingdom for just such a day as this. God grant that we all in this pavilion come up equal to that task through the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Presentation of Credentials: Pres. Larry Moore

Elder Kirkpatrick, although you have gone from the status of ministerial intern now to ordained pastor, with all the privileges and responsibilities according to that, we still want you to stay around and help take the camp meeting tents down. [happy amens]. because I don't know that they do that in Southeastern California, but we have trained you well, so we want you to go and be a missionary to that corner of the world.

Your certificate of ordination reads as follows: "This certifies that Larry Robert Kirkpatrick, having given satisfactory evidence of his call to preparation for the sacred work of the gospel ministry, was ordained at Springville Utah on the twenty-third day of June in the year of our Lord 2001, and is duly authorized in the provisions of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to perform all the functions of the ministerial office. Issued by the Nevada-Utah Conference of Seventh-day Adventists." And here are the signatures. So Larry, it is with real privilege that I present this certificate of ordination to you and I know that you will keep it in a safe place to remind you of this very special day. God bless you.

Ministers of the Conference close the service singing as prayer, "So Send I You."

GreatControversy.org
Y o u    H a v e    a    V o i c e