Executive Committee Nominated for Second Term
Orlando, FL–The General Council of the Church of God nominated the current executive committee in the same positions to serve for a second term. If confirmed this Friday by the General Assembly, the committee will stay in the same configuration for the 2010-2012 General Assembly period.
Meeting in Orlando, Florida for the 73rd International Church of God Generaal Assembly, the vote moved exceptionally fast thanks to the addition of voting keypads for every Council member. In the past several years of electronic voting, keypads were shared by members requiring two rounds of voting per ballot. Nomination of the executive committee was completed in under one hour, including acceptance speeches.
Nominated to serve a second two-year term as general overseer was Raymond F. Culpepper. He received enough votes in the first round of balloting and received a standing ovation following the announcement of the vote by Teller Committee Chairman Carlos Moran.
“I am overwhelmed and stand here only by the benefit and grace of God,” Culpepper said in accepting the nomination. “Six years ago I faced the sharpest learning curve of my life (when elected to the executive committee). I faced the enormity of the responsibility. I have come more to realize how the Church of God is truly a worldwide movement…I love you, brethren and thank you for your expression.”
Nominated for a second term as first assistant general overseer was Timothy M. Hill. Headed into his final two years of eligibility on the executive committee, Hill has previously served as secretary general and third assistant general overseer. Like Culpepper, Hill was nominated on the first round of voting by the general council.
“I pledge my support, as I have in the past, to serve our general overseer and this committee…. I am anxiously anticipating the future because God is for us!”
Also confirmed by his colleagues on the first vote was second assistant general overseer, Mark Williams. First elected to the post two years ago, Williams’ nomination also came on the first round of voting.
“It is with a deep sense of gratitude that I approach the sacredness of this moment. I pledge to you every energy and every effort to fulfill the mission for which Jesus died….the best is yet to come!”
David Griffis, third assistant general overseer, was re-nominated to serve a second term. Upon acceptance, Griffis spoke of his family, including his father.
“I thank God for the support of my family,” Griffis said. “My father is not here this year…he has not missed an Assembly since the 1940s and always sat on the front row, but I feel his presence today.”
The final nomination of the committee was for Wallace Sibley, Secretary General. Sibley’s nomination also came on the first round of balloting by the general council.
“I am overwhelmed by your expression,” Sibley told his ministerial colleagues. “The Church of God is all I have ever known and it has been faithful to us. I pledge to give you all that I have. As we continue to pray and work together for this church, the best days are yet ahead.”
Culpepper, who is also serving as moderator of the General Council and General Assembly, took liberty to speak of his fondness for the executive committee he has worked with over the past two years.
“These men have faced incredible challenges,” Culpepper stated. “The first two or three hours before we meet as a group are spent in prayer…each of these men have wept for the future of this church…I applaud them. They are men with strength, convictions and commitment…they stand by what they believe and I have watched them each step up to their responsibilities time after time.”
