Sabbath at GC

Sabbath at the GC Session is, as you would expect, very special. With the theme this year of impacting large urban areas around the world, the worship service was more of an "around the world" reporting session than a traditional worship; however, it was quite interesting and inspiring.
The worship was extremely crowded, such that for those arriving after 10 am (including me) found it almost impossible to find a seat, and a number of individuals simply had to stand in the back during the worship.

 I'll share the days activities by means of the pictures below with some brief descriptive comment:

Front entrance to the GC building this morning.

Doug Batchelor; always very
friendly and very used to getting
his picture taken!

In the Main Auditorium, where worship is conducted, the Media Corner includes the translators in the booths behind the windows in the rear. Translation is available for attendees in Russian, French, Portuguese or Spanish.

Dave Colburn, our Southern Union Undertreasurer,
and his wife, Marlene, (Dennis Millburns daughter)
provided special music for the offering.

Our former pastor, and continued friend to KTC,
Pavel Goia, Associate Ministerial Director of the GC

A report on the plans to impact Vietnam and the
Capital, Hanoi, with its 7 million population

A report on the plans to make a major impact
on cities in Europe.

Elder Ng shares an affirming report on how
Indonesia (where Malinda's brother
 serves)  is experiencing success thru intensive
efforts of lay members.

Elder Wilson quotes T v. 9, 116-177
on the necessity of church member involvement in
soul-winning. The term he used was TMI; for
total member involvement.

Elder Duane McKee and his wife give an around
the world report on evangelistic efforts last
year including the 100,000 single day baptisms in Rwanda

Elder McKee commented that the success in Rwanda
was the result of over 2,000 local meetings occurring
simultaneously.

Over 4300 seminar/event and meeting sites were active
throughout six eastern European countries.

2017 GC Annual Council

In the beautiful fall weather enjoyed both back in Tennessee, and here in Maryland, the General Conference Annual Council is in session, and, in my view, particularly for those here from the NAD "everything" is leading up to the discussion and decision regarding Women's Ordination (WO) and the Columbia and Pacific Unions. That will likely take place Monday or Tuesday, and, alas, I must be back in Nashville for our Executive Committee session.

I arrived yesterday and began attendance this morning. My first impression upon entering the GC headquarters building, with the departure of NAD personnel,  is "wow. It is MUCH emptier . . . then it used to be!" However, the GC session seems well attended, though, it is the first time I've ever been present for it.

Because of the onset of an early Sabbath sunset, the session ends today at 5:30. The major theme of the meetings  is "LEAD Conference 2017 - Into the Cities" with an emphasis of impacting major urban centers where by far, most of the worlds populations live. The presentations and devotional thoughts so far seem to reflect that.

Here are a few pictures from today . . . First one is Elder Mike Ryan, former VP for the GC, and still serving  the GC part-time, who had a great devotional on how purpose determines passion and urgency.

I spoke with Mike afterwards and learned that his daughter is a member at our Ridgetop TN Church.

During Elder Ryan's devotional he had everyone stand who had either One, ever served as an LE, Two, ever served as a Personal Ministries Director, or Three, ever conducted a public series of meetings. Glad he asked the last question which allowed me to stand with the others pictured here. After the devotional, we were asked to pray with one or two nearby. I prayed with two Hispanic brothers who Im pretty sure, neither spoke or understood, much if any English. My prayer included a few words of my poor Spanish and I think they appreciated that. This session is a wonderful reminder of the diversity of the world Church!

The ministry of ASI was highlighted this morning.  Some of you know Steve Dickman, pictured below - 2nd individual from left holding the Mic - and who has for at least two years now, served as President of ASI. The panel assembled represented ASI members from around the world who are making a difference for Christ but do not work as employees of the Church. Much of the presentation by Steve, who serves as our Principal at Harbert Hills Academy in Savannah, TN, was educating the GC attendees on how the ASI fosters and promotes "supportive" independant ministries and wants to always be diligent that only those supportive of the organized Church are welcome into their ranks.

Outside the NAD, it seems the ASI is less well-known, and probably viewed with suspicion by some, so this presentation was needed and helpful.

As a sidenote, I learned that OCI  (Outposts Center International) headquartered in Collegedale,and who fosters a number of SDA focused ministries around the world, is presently sponsoring over 120 ministries in 45 countries!

Finally, you may know that ASI is celebrating it's 70th anniversary this year and I am proud and pleased that ASI was born and formerly launched, in 1947, in our own Madison, Tennessee.

Pictured here is, to the left, Homer Trecartin, Director of Global Missions Center for the GC, and to his right, Elder Duane Mckee, President of AWR. In this stirring report, we learned how impactful AWR is and heard a wonderful story of how, in a country where evangelism historically is very hard  - Japan - AWR radio,  combined importantly with the involvement of local churches, has led to some amazing evangelism success in a part of Japan called Mindao (probably mis-spelled)  

The final picture is of the Japanese Pastor from the Mindao Japanese Church who helped foster the AWR success, and is one of the GC delegates.

I will report again tomorrow following worship.