General Council General Sessions Began

This place is buzzing with people! I mean tons of people! I haven't gotten the official count, but an estimated 30,000 people are in attendance. Almost half of those at the Fine Arts Festival in the Convention Center and Youth Convention which is being held in the RCA Dome! We are at the Westin Hotel across the street from the Convention Center. The Convention Center spans about three blocks with the RCA Dome right beside it. Get this, there are skywalks from every major hotel across to the convention center, which also leads you from there to the mall! You never have to go outside! Cool, huh!

The opening session took place tonight in the Conseco Fieldhouse. The worship was incredible, led by Travis Cottrell. The assembly honored our General Superintendent Thomas Trask who is retiring and gave a farewll address. It was quite moving and sad. He has done an incredible job leading our fellowship from 25 million adherants worldwide in 1993 to over 57 million today.

He challenged us to be "authentic" in our pentecostal and christian heritage. He spoke of a southern baptist who challenged us as the Assemblies of God to be pentecostal because that is who we are, that is our distinctive, what we are known for. I pray we will all be filled and allow the Holy Spirit to overflow from us to lead others to know Him intimately.

A rather sad note: We have to go through Bag Check Security Points and as we enter for the services our mandatory badges with a barcode have to be scanned. This is the world in which we live...

On an upper note: You can watch the 52nd General Council evening assembly on the INSP Network! Check it out. It's broadcast live at 7:00 pm Indianapolis time, and I think it may repeat the following day. If I find out that for sure, I'll let you know.

Miss you all!