Today’s service preview
By Kara Chase
This evening
The 53rd General Council kicks off tonight with the general superintendent’s message. The service begins at 7 p.m. with a call to worship by recording artist Travis Cottrell.
Cottrell, who led worship during the 2007 General Council in Indianapolis, has been a worship leader and songwriter for more than 15 years. Most recently, he has been leading worship across the nation at Beth Moore’s Living Proof Live conferences. Live, Cottrell’s latest record, was released in June.
Immediately following the call to worship, General Treasurer Doug Clay will welcome General Council attendees and introduce the Assemblies of God leadership, as well as representatives from fraternal delegates, the World Assemblies of God Fellowship and Executive Councils.
Elected by the Executive Presbytery to the office of General Treasurer in January 2008, Clay previously served as superintendent of the Ohio District from June 2004 to 2008 and as pastor of Calvary Assembly of God in Toledo, Ohio, from 1997 to 2004. He has also served as the Assemblies of God national Youth director, Ohio District youth director and as a Youth pastor in Ohio and Iowa. Clay and his wife Gayle have two daughters.
After the greeting, Cottrell will continue leading attendees in a time of worship.
Sixteen-year-old Parker Loy, son of Rod and Cindy Loy, pastors of First Assembly of God in North Little Rock, Arkansas, will receive the offering and challenge those present to become Charter Members of the Assemblies of God Trust. The AGTrust, an arm of the General Superintendent’s office, funds strategic initiatives to help keep the Fellowship strong and vibrant for future generations.
The AGTrust’s three major initiatives are helping plant new, vibrant churches; strategically investing in the next generation through educational assistance to high school and college graduates; and resourcing the Fellowship with evangelism and training materials for all ages.
During the offertory, Chreston and Bridgette Tomlin will perform I Am with the choir from First Assembly of God in Fort Myers, Florida.
Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Tomlins have been involved in full-time preaching and music evangelism for more than a decade, both in the U.S. and in countries around the world. As recording artists, the couple has six projects to their credit, including their most recent album, Fresh Oil.
The choir is comprised of some 200 singers from each of First Assembly’s five campuses in the Fort Myers area. Pastor Mike Justice oversees the church’s music ministry, in addition to serving as the Peninsular Florida District music director.
Assistant General Superintendent Alton Garrison will introduce General Superintendent George O. Wood prior to Wood’s keynote message.
Both Wood and Garrison were elected to their current positions during the 2007 General Council.
Previously, Garrison served as executive director of U.S. Missions from 2005 to 2007 and, beginning in 2001, as assistant superintendent and then superintendent of the Arkansas District. His ministry experience also includes 15 years as pastor of First Assembly of God in North Little Rock, Arkansas, and nearly two decades as an evangelist.
Garrison and his wife Johanna have one daughter.
Upon his election as general superintendent two years ago, Wood identified five core values that shape the priorities of the current Executive Leadership Team and the future of the Assemblies of God.
These values, described in detail in Wood’s book, Core Values, include passionately proclaim, at home and abroad, by word and deed Jesus as Savior, Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, Healer and Soon Coming King; strategically invest in the next generation; vigorously plant new churches; skillfully resource our Fellowship; and fervently pray for God’s favor and help as we serve Him with pure hearts and noble purpose.
Prior to being elected general superintendent, Wood served the Fellowship as general secretary for 14 years. He was assistant superintendent of the Southern California District from 1988 to 1993 and pastored Newport-Mesa Christian Center in Costa Mesa, California, for 17 years.
In addition to his role as general superintendent, Wood currently serves as chairman of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship. He has written multiple books, including Living in the Spirit, which was just released and mailed to each credentialed minister.
Wood and his wife Jewel have a daughter and a son.
At the conclusion of Wood’s message, national Music Department Director Tom Matrone and the Fort Myers worship band will provide music during the altar response. General presbyters will be located throughout the hall to pray one-on-one with those responding to the altar call.
Matrone has been a minister of music with the Assemblies of God for nearly 30 years and currently serves as music director at Central Assembly in Springfield, Missouri. His work as a guest conductor and seminar speaker has taken him across the United States and as far as Asia and South Africa. Matrone is also an adjunct professor at Central Bible College and Evangel University and is the conductor for the CBC Chamber Choir. Matrone and his wife Darlene have three children.