Delegates Head to San Antonio
Delegates have begun arriving in San Antonio, Texas for the 72nd Church of God International General Assembly. This is the fifth time the bi-ennial event has been located in the city of the famous Alamo.
Preparations are underway at both the AlamoDome and the Gonzales Convention Center. Crews are assembling staging, lighting and sound and seats for worship services which begin on Monday, August 4 with an opening keynote address by General Overseer G. Dennis McGuire. General Council business sessions begin on Tuesday at 8:30 and will continue for three full sessions until that evening. The International Executive Committee, as well as leaders for three church departments are expected to be nominated on the first day, as well as the election of the 18 members of the International Executive Council.
Night services will be held Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights at the AlamoDome. On Wednesday, Bishop Sean Teal, a pastor in Chattanooga, Tenn., will deliver the keynote message. Thursday, Angel Marcial will bring a message of global appeal as world missions is emphasized, including the traditional parade of nations. On Friday, Barry Clardy, pastor of the Princeton Pike Church of God is the scheduled speaker. The closing commissioning service scheduled for Saturday morning will feature a message by the newly-elected General Overseer. McGuire is not eligible at this time due to term limitations.
In the Gonzales Convention Center preparations are underway to accommodate thousands of teens from across the nation headed to the city for Teen Talent competition. The youth will take over the Lila Cockrell Theater and Ballrooms A and B competing in drama, art, music and Bible categories. In Exhibit Hall A, dozens of vendors and ministries are setting up this weekend for an opening of the exhibits on Monday morning at 9:00 a.m.
Complete coverage of the General Assembly will be posted on the Church of God Web site in the form of news releases and video updates. Worship services will be available within hours of their conclusion and final results of elections and appointments will be posted at the end of the week.
