Thy Kingdom Come – Pastor Brian Cassell
Spring Meadows Seventh-day Adventist Church Briefing Document: June 13, 2026
Executive Summary
This document provides a comprehensive overview of the ecclesiastical activities, mission reports, and theological discourse presented at the Spring Meadows Seventh-day Adventist Church during the service on June 13, 2026. Key highlights include the successful completion of a medical and construction mission trip to Peru, the baptism of Jomar Francis, and a significant theological examination by Senior Pastor Brian Cassell regarding the nature of Christ’s second coming and the interpretation of biblical prophecy.
Financially, the church is navigating a significant budget deficit while simultaneously launching a $3.3 million mortgage retirement campaign. Community outreach remains a high priority, with the local food pantry serving approximately 150 families bi-monthly, despite current inventory shortages.
Ecclesiastical Leadership and Administrative Structure
The church is managed by a dedicated pastoral and administrative team focused on various age groups and operational needs.
Church Staff and Leadership
- Senior Pastor: Brian Cassell
- Associate Pastor (Middle/High School): Jonathan Martin
- Associate Pastor (Collegiate/Young Adult): Jonathan Osorio
- Head Elder: Michael Fogg
- Finance Committee Chairman: Brad Hillmon
- Treasurer: Berkley Moss
- Church Administrator: Miriam Cassell
Congregational Announcements
- Pastoral Welcome: A welcome party for Pastor Jonathan Martin and his family was scheduled for June 13 at 6:00 PM.
- Facilities: The Fellowship Hall air conditioning was reported as over-active (“deep freeze” conditions), requiring attendees to bring sweaters or coats.
- Congregational Care: Members were encouraged to identify and reach out to missing individuals to ensure their well-being.
Community Outreach and Global Mission Reports
Local Ministries
- Food Pantry: This ministry operates on the first and third Thursday of each month, serving at least 150 families per session. Currently, the pantry is experiencing a food shortage. A “Food for the Food Pantry” competition has been initiated, requesting that the approximately 700 attending members each bring two non-perishable items next Sabbath to restock the shelves.
- Rainforest Falls VBS: The recent Vacation Bible School saw 368 children registered, with daily attendance averaging 290. The program was supported by 246 volunteers.
Peru Mission Trip (Pukalpa)
A team of 19 individuals, supported by over 68 donors and 30 behind-the-scenes workers, recently returned from a mission in Peru.
| Project Category | Key Deliverables / Data Points |
| Construction | Built a secure 10-foot wall around a local church to prevent theft; laid over 2,200 bricks. Started foundations for Sabbath School classrooms. Total cost: $24,000+. |
| Medical Clinic | Saw nearly 300 patients on peak days. Services included blood pressure screenings, triage, and general medical care. |
| Dental Clinic | Treated 194 patients (all under age 19). Distributed 860 toothbrushes and 200 units of toothpaste/floss. |
| Optical Clinic | The most popular station; served 100+ patients daily. Distributed 350 prescription glasses and 150 sunglasses. |
| Physical Therapy | Treated 64 patients (double the standard capacity for a single therapist). |
| Evangelism | Nightly series conducted by Pastor Osorio; VBS programs; distribution of Bibles, clothes, school supplies, and computer equipment (donated by AdventHealth). |
Theological Analysis: “Thy Kingdom Come”
Pastor Brian Cassell delivered a sermon focusing on the visibility of Christ’s return and the dangers of theological “distractions” or “diversions.”
The Critique of Dispensationalism and the “Secret Rapture”
The sermon addressed the widely held belief in a “secret taking away” of the church, identifying its historical and theological origins:
- Historical Origins: Traced back to the Counter-Reformation. In 1590, Jesuit priest Rivera proposed “futurism” to divert prophetic scrutiny away from the contemporary church.
- 19th Century Development: John Darby developed the “dispensationalist theory” in the 1800s, which was later popularized by the Scofield Reference Bible.
- Biblical Rebuttal: Cassell argued that the “thief in the night” metaphor refers to the unexpectedness of the return due to world distractions, not the silence of the event. He cited 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, emphasizing that the return will be audible (shouts, trumpets) and visible (every eye shall see him).
Prophetic Interpretation: Daniel 8 and 9
The 70-week prophecy in Daniel was identified as the “crown jewel” of prophecy due to its mathematical precision:
- The 2,300-Day Prophecy: Spanning from 457 BC to 1844 AD.
- The 70 Weeks: Determined (cut off) from the longer prophecy for the Jewish nation.
- The Messiah: The prophecy accurately predicted the baptism (anointing) and the crucifixion (being “cut off” in the middle of the week) of Jesus, effectively ending the sacrificial system.
- The Diversion: The sermon argued that modern dispensationalism takes the “last week” of this prophecy (which focused on Jesus) and throws it 2,000 years into the future, incorrectly applying it to a future Antichrist and a literal rebuilt temple.
Spiritual Israel vs. Geopolitical Israel
The discourse clarified the church’s stance on the definition of Israel:
- Spiritual Definition: Citing Galatians 3:28-29 and Romans 2:28-29, the sermon defined “Israel” as a spiritual body of believers in Christ, rather than a geopolitical or ethnic entity.
- Geopolitical Stance: While rejecting anti-semitism and affirming God’s love for all people, the sermon stated that modern political Israel does not possess a separate path to salvation and that Middle Eastern political events are not the primary determine of God’s end-time plan.
Rites of Passage: Baptism of Jomar Francis
A central event of the service was the baptism of Jomar Francis. In a “Letter to God,” Francis expressed his commitment to the faith and his personal ambition to become a wildlife conservationist, inspired by Steve Irwin. He credited his spiritual turning point to an experience on March 3rd where he felt the presence of the adversary and found peace by calling upon the name of God.
Financial Stewardship and Development
Operating Budget (July 2025 – June 2026)
The church is currently facing a significant budgetary shortfall.
- Monthly Needed (June): $93,185
- Monthly Received (to date): $8,200
- Year-to-Date Deficit: -$203,338
“The Miracle Multiplied” Mortgage Retirement Campaign
The church has launched a major three-year capital campaign (2025–2028) to retire its mortgage.
- Financial Goal: $3.3 Million
- Giving Potential Guide:
| Weekly Gift | Monthly Gift | Yearly Gift | 3-Year Total |
| $513 | $2,222 | $26,664 | $80,000 |
| $321 | $1,389 | $16,668 | $50,000 |
| $126 | $556 | $6,672 | $20,000 |
| $64 | $278 | $3,336 | $10,000 |
| $6 | $28 | $336 | $1,000 |
Upcoming Events Calendar (June 15 – June 20)
- June 15: Prayer/Quilting Ministry (10:00 AM)
- June 16: Women’s Bible Study via Zoom (7:00 PM)
- June 17: EMU Meet Up at Trotwood Park (9:00 AM); Middle School Meet Up at Westmonte Pool (10:00 AM); Prayer Meeting via Zoom (7:00 PM).
- June 18: Chair Stretching (11:15 AM); Food Pantry Distribution (4:30 PM).
- June 19: Dwell Young Adult Vespers (7:30 PM).
- June 20: Deacons Luncheon (12:30 PM); Family Mission Trip Meeting (12:30 PM); Young Adult Cooking Class (8:30 PM).
Other Sermons In This Series
I Have Called You By Name – Pastor Brian Cassell
January 03, 2026
The Table of Belonging – Pastor Brian Cassell
January 31, 2026
Adopted Into His Family – Pastor Brian Cassell
February 07, 2026