25th Senior Adult Retreat Is Huge Success
More than 1,300 Church of God senior adults gathered in Gatlinburg, Tennessee at the Gatlinburg Convention Center April 28-30, 2015 for the 25th annual Smoky Mountain Jubilee Senior Adult Retreat.
According to Dr. James E. Cossey, executive administrator of USA Missions and the Jubilee moderator, a record number of 116 entries (more than 200 persons including choirs and ensembles), representing thirteen states or regions, participated in the senior adult talent competition. Each state or region in the Church of God is encouraged to conduct an annual state or regional talent competition, with the state/regional winners eligible to advance to the national competition at the Jubilee. Competition includes various categories of music, creative writing, and creative art.
This year’s Jubilee featured a Church of God Gospel variety show that showcased talent from within our Movement. Artists were the Southern Gospel/Bluegrass group, Mercy’s Road, along with Leola Sellers, James E. Cossey, and comedienne Blenda Wicker. Tuesday night’s exciting concert featured the world famous Kingsmen Quartet from Ashville, North Carolina. On Wednesday night, the Jubilee hosted a reunion of Joe Hodo, David Isbell, and Harold Hudson—known throughout the Church of God in the 1970s as the Churchmen. The evening speaker on Wednesday, Dr. Raymond Culpepper, administrative bishop of Alabama, was uniquely introduced by his sister, Darlene Culpepper-Haas.
“With the sociological phenomenon called ‘The Graying of America,’ the leadership of USA Missions/Division of World Evangelization believes that there is a deep reservoir of talent, spiritual gifts, experience, and resources available to the Church of God in its senior adults,” Cossey stated. “Jubilee showcases that potential, and encourages seniors not to sit on the sidelines, but to continue active in church ministry, evangelism, and Kingdom causes.”
Pastors and state office leadership wishing information or assistance in setting up senior adult ministries or senior adult talent competitions can secure information by calling Cossey in the USA Missions/Division of World Evangelization at 423.478-7103, or by email at jcossey@churchofgod.org, and regular mail to P. O. Box 2430, Cleveland, Tennessee 37320-2430.
The 2016 Smoky Mountain Jubilee has been scheduled at the same location—the Gatlinburg Convention Center—for April 26-28, 2016.
