November 2024 Presidents Message - "So Where Do We Go From Here?"

I think that it is fair to say that many of us are feeling pretty elated at the outcome of all the hard work put into this election. I have to once again commend our State Legislative Committee for all that they did, not only to clean up the voter rolls but also to get out the vote.

I was laughing almost hysterically when I pulled up to the firehouse where we voted at 7 a.m. and saw that there were literally no parking spaces in their large parking lot. As with many of you, it took me an hour and a half to get in and out of the building.

Now I think it is also important to acknowledge that there are many folks right now who are agonizing over the outcome of the election. We need to be sensitive to that fact and not gloat or overly emphasize our joy in the outcome. We all need to be humble and respectful. This election will unfortunately divide families and friends if social situations are not handled with grace, particularly over the holidays. We must take this opportunity to do what I have recommended and perhaps preached to many over the last several years. That is to do what we stand for in STN’s third core value: education. We must educate those in the dark with the truth.

Now remember that our first core value is our Biblical foundation. Therefore, as Jesus did, we teach truth in a palatable way. Christ used stories to teach in many settings. But He always used the truth. Look at how He defused the situation of stoning a young woman by stating that anyone who is without sin should cast the first stone. That certainly put everything in perspective, didn’t it?

Remember what we are told in Titus 2:8 and 2:15:
“Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us. You must teach things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.”

As long as your intentions are pure and you use facts and truth with grace, you will succeed. I will use a recent example of this that I experienced in my office. I had a patient who came in at the end of the morning—a man who I know is versed in the Word. He entered the treatment room, sat down on the table, and began yelling at me, stating that I am “stupid,” that I “need to be saved,” and that I “need to get on my knees and beg for forgiveness” for what I have done. He went on to say that I am “misleading others.” He then went on to holler at me that the man I supported for President had stated that “Liz Cheney should be placed before a firing squad.”

Up to that point, I did not interrupt the man. I just let him “vent.” However, when he stated a falsehood, it was my job to correct him. So, in a civil tone, I corrected him with the facts of the statement that he had parroted, possibly from a news report that also mischaracterized the statement. I knew that at that point it was my obligation to speak the truth. He then went on to yell at me that he needed to speak to me about all of this. My response to him was that I would be willing to do that when he calmed down and could speak to me in a civil tone.

He then went on with his finger pointed at me to state, “And you are not going to charge me for today’s visit!” My response was, “(his name), why would I not charge you for your visit?” To that, I received no response. I instructed him to lie down, and I treated him. He got up, speaking in a more civil tone to me, went to the front desk, paid for his visit, and scheduled his next appointment.

My staff was probably more surprised and shaken by the situation than I was since they could hear this man yelling all the way out at the front desk.

My point here is this: we must walk the path before us with grace, peace, and strength. The truth always prevails. This election is an example of that. I know that God has His hand in so many of the things that we are witnessing today. There is no doubt that He had His hand in this election. He has His hand in everything that STN stands for and everything that we are doing.

We must stand together and stand strong. The real work is just beginning, and we will see the assaults coming like never before. Those who remain staunch in opposition to what is going to occur in the next year and beyond will place every roadblock in the path that we are forging together. They will attempt to create chaos. God wants order and detests chaos. Therefore, we must not waver, we must not falter, and we must always remember to use the truth as our shield with which to educate others. The truth cannot be refuted. We will see more of the truth being exposed in the coming months and years as well.

Get ready for the ride; it is going to be quite a rollercoaster. But we cannot take our foot off the accelerator. If you haven’t engaged and have let others do the work, it is time to get off the sidelines and get on the field. Take part in the “revolution.” We are going to see a lot of disruption. We elected a disruptor, and he has appointed disruptors. This will be both an exciting and turbulent time.

The bottom line is we need your help. I say this every month in our monthly meetings and in all of my correspondence, but I can’t overemphasize this fact. Without the support of those in our organization, we will not be able to accomplish the tasks ahead of us. We have another election coming up next year that will be contentious. We have individuals today that are being used in sex and human trafficking who need our help. We have events that STN will engage in to support others, whether that is the homeless or the unborn. However, we can’t do this without volunteers to help.

I ask you all to consider volunteering and donating your time, your talents, and your financial support for the missions and causes that STN will engage in over the coming months and years.

We need you, and the community, the Commonwealth, and yes, our Republic need us.

Thank you, and I hope to see you all as we celebrate and give thanks in our upcoming November Annual Meeting.
- Dr Doug Pfeiffer