One week ago today we departed from Bismarck on a flight to San Antonio, TX to attend the 78th General Assembly of our denomination.
We departed as the Administrative Bishop/Women’s Ministry Director of the North Central Region for the Church of God.
Tomorrow we will catch a flight back to Bismarck to start packing. For now we are the outgoing Administrative Bishop/WM Director of the North Central Region and the incoming Administrative Bishop/WM Director for the COG in Illinois.
This is certainly a bittersweet moment in our lives.
Bitter in that we will have to say good-bye to our dearly loved friends and church-family in the amazing NCR. The last four and a half years have been like living in a dream–an extremely good dream. We have been profoundly impacted by the beautiful and enchanting land that we traveled but even more so by the amazingly dedicated and caring people we met and befriended along the journey.
To our dearly loved friends of the NCR, we thank you for loving us, accepting us, and caring for us. Since heading out for life and ministry as kids back in 1978, Sonja and I have had some unbelievable blessings and privileges bestowed upon us over the years, but none more precious and appreciated than serving as the Administrative Leadership of your Region. We will be indebted to you for the rest of our lives. Thank you for everything!
But…
Our trip back to Bismarck is also sweet, for we believe in the providence and sovereignty of God and thus we are excited and eager to start writing the next chapter of our lives and ministry…the Illinois chapter (who would have ever dreamed!!!)
Already many of the ministers/spouses of the COG in Illinois have been reaching out to us with warm greetings and blessings of Godspeed.
Please know that Sonja and I are at perfect peace about joining you in the great harvest in Illinois, and are eagerly looking forward to meeting our church family and new friends there.
Many have come up to us over the last 48 hours with glowing personal testimonies recounting the warmth and commitment of the Illinois COG. This only adds to our eager anticipation to meet you and join shoulder to shoulder as we Run2Win…(1 Cor. 9:24-25).
So to the ministers and laity in both the North Central Region and Illinois–Sonja and I love you and feel rich beyond words to be associated with you both.
With grateful hearts and warmest affection,
David/Sonja Kemp
The ONE THING 
Love this man an wife , an his dad …
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It was hard to say goodbye to you and Sonja when you left FM. . Very hard. You are still terrible missed. I know it will be hard to leave your good work a d all your dear friends there. Also the beautiful place.
Blessings to you and Sonja on your new adventure. Illinois is very fortunate to have you. At least it’s a little closer to SC.
Love you and Sonja so much and will always miss you.
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It seems the longer we live the more we have to say good-bye (it doesn’t get easier, that’s for sure). We still love and miss our dear church family at fmcog. Any good we do on this journey is due in great part to the love and care of precious people like you, Phyllis. You will always have a part in all we do. We love you.
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Congratulations!!
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Congratulations to you and Sonja ! Know that you are loved and appreciated by many. Good luck with your new chapter.
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Thank you so much! Please keep us in your prayers.
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Congratulations, friends! On to another new adventure…
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Congratulations!!
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Thank you!
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