Hayden Lake Stake welcomes new presidency

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By Gloria Warnick, Staff Writer
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July 12, 2010 — A new Stake Presidency was called for the Hayden Lake Idaho Stake earlier this year.

Dirk A. Baird, a physical therapist and owner of the Hayden Lake Physical Therapy and Aquatic Center, was called as stake president. President Baird previously served as bishop of the Hayden Lake Third Ward. He selected Grant Oyler as first counselor and David Alan Asper as second counselor.

Pictured, left to right: Grant Oyler, 1st Counselor, President Dirk K Baird, and David Alan Asper, 2nd Counselor. Contributed Photo.

President Oyler was serving as a counselor in the Stake Presidency when the change occurred. He has previously served as a bishop and is works as a construction contractor. President Asper also previously served as bishop of the Dalton Gardens Ward. He is retired from the Idaho State Department of Transportation. Brother Jim Ferguson remains the stake clerk and Brother Glen K. Seely was called as the stake executive secretary.

Released after nine years as stake president was President Stanley C. Wood. His counselors, Mike Reynolds and Grant Oyler were also released.

Elder Bruce D. Porter and Elder ParrenWalker of the First Quorum of the Seventy interviewed and called the new presidency.

Approximately 30 to 40 worthy men were interviewed for these positions.

"I had no thoughts that I would be called as Stake President," President Baird said. "I knew I had an interview coming up but I was very surprised at this calling. I felt strongly about Brother Asper and Brother Oyler. As a matter of fact I wrote both of their names down on my suggested stake presidents list. But I was very surprised to be called as the stake president. However, looking back at the events of last summer and last fall, I can clearly see that the Lord was preparing me for this."

Sitting behind the desk in the stake president's office, President Baird spoke of the privilege of working with President Oyler and President Asper, saying that each person in the presidency brings strengths that will result in "a good blend."

"President Asper has a love of temple work and President Oyler has a love and a drive for Missionary work," he said. "Foremost in my mind are the youth in our stake."

Pictured, left to right: Brother Jim Ferguson, Stake Clerk, Grant Oyler,1st Counselor, President Dirk A. Baird, David Alan Asper, 2nd Counselor and Glen K. Seely, Stake Executive Secretary. Contributed Photo.

Coordination of future projects is already in high gear. A combined service project in the green rolling hills and valleys of Farragut Stake Park is currently being planned with the Coeur d' Alene Stake. Brother Duane Clements of Hayden Lake First Ward, Hayden Lake Idaho Stake and Brother McCalister of the Coeur d' Alene Idaho Stake are coordinating this project.

"The budgets for the state parks have been drastically reduced and the July 24 project, which is planned for 600 to 800 individuals to give four or five hours of service, will be a great boost to our beloved park," President Baird said. "In fact it sounds like the park's wish list is actually longer than we can accomplish. But we will come up and make a dent in the work that needs to be done there."

The event on the 24th will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and include a Pioneer Day celebration and a picnic.

Surrounded by the ever changing blues and greens of the Hayden Lake and the stately mountains of North Idaho, the Latter-Day Saints in the Hayden Lake Stake are a community of active people with a great love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are led by a dark-headed man who loves the Lord and has no personal agenda but to provide service to Him and His people.

"I'm glad to be a servant of the Lord," President Baird said. "I love to serve him. I am blessed to be his servant at this time, in this great work."

Comments

7/13/2010 10:09:56 AM | Mike & Donna said:

President Baird is a GREAT man and he has a big heart. (Generous and very thoughtful) He also has a wonderful family. We both support him in the great work of the Lord.

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