NAC Monday June 25 and Tuesday June 26

Monday and Tuesday at NAC:

As you can tell, I did not have time to write yesterday and here I am at midnight writing for two days when GA starts at 8 in the morning!  Though NAC is fantastic it is also so busy and tiring! 

Monday was a day filled with excitement. 

Monday morning Brett led a conference called “You can’t be a Christian and vote for…” He had two people (on very different sides of the political table) come and present on Health Care, Foreign Policy and Economics from their side.  Brett then gave a short lecture about the dangers of Civil Religion – the key point being that we are Christians first and Americans (or whatever country we are from) second.  Our allegiance has to always first be to God!  There was some good discussion and we ended with an even clearer picture that there are good, Godly people on both sides of the political spectrum. 

We went straight from Brett’s conference to the Anderson University School of Theology luncheon.  My family was there to support me (12 of us total!) as I was awarded the 2012 Distinguished Young Alumni Award.  I feel very blessed to receive such an honor.

We left the luncheon and went directly into my conference “The Christian Response to Immigration.”  At that conference we dealt with two case studies about illegal immigrants and had some discussion about the Christian’s response to immigration, immigration law, and the closing of the US borders.  The discussion (with many of the 50+ people contributing) was a little more feisty than Brett’s, but very good. 

The point of our conferences is to foster understanding and have healthy dialogue as the church about potentially polarizing issues.  We enjoy being a part of Christian dialogue at the national level. 

Last night’s sermon was preached by Diana Swoope from the Arlington Church of God in Akron.  She is a powerful and dynamic preacher and called the church to allow the Holy Spirit to move us and guide us. 

Today, I spent most of the day in the General Assembly (GA) of the Church of God where we conduct business.  When I return I will be giving the church a report about what is going on in the Church of God, for now I will simply say what a blessing it is to get to spend time with others leaders from around the country…and the world.  It reminds me that we at Harvest Point are part of something so much larger than ourselves. 

 

Tonight, Bill Neece preached a very Billy Graham style sermon on the Great Commandment – go into all the world.  He called the church to actively participate in the work of God for the sake of the lost.  Tonight was also the service where the Chog commissions its new missionaries.  I am pleased to say that two of the couples being commissioned tonight were in school with us at Anderson.  The tithe/support we send to the Chog National offices helps with these ministries and more. 

I have had many opportunities to connect with other leaders in the church at large, what a wonderful opportunity! I hope that you are all well, I am praying for you.  It’s not too late – join us tomorrow night at 7pm for the service: http://www.chog.org/node/171