Today’s services preview
Bradford
Matrone
Tomlins
First Assembly
Burchfield Brothers
Jules
Wood
Deyo
Shane & Shane
Cooper
By Kara Chase
This morning
Following the Memorial Breakfast, the General Council Communion Service commences at 10 a.m. in the OCCC North Hall A-1.
General Secretary James Bradford will open the service with prayer.
The Executive Presbytery elected Bradford as general secretary in February 2009. Prior to his election, he served as senior pastor of Central Assembly in Springfield, Missouri, for nearly six years. Bradford has also served as pastor of both Broadway Church in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Newport-Mesa Christian Center in Costa Mesa, California.
Bradford holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Minnesota. While a student, Bradford led a Chi Alpha Bible study that eventually grew into a university church, where he served in full-time ministry following his graduation.
Bradford and his wife Sandi have two daughters.
Bradford will also introduce the Communion Service worship leader, national Music Department Director Tom Matrone.
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.
Matrone will be joined by Chreston and Bridgette Tomlin and the Fort Myers worship band.
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 worship ministry of First Assembly of God in Fort Myers, Florida, is led by Music Pastor Mike Justice. The church has satellite campuses throughout Southwest Florida and averages 5,000 in attendance every Sunday morning.
After worship, a memorial video will honor the service of those ministers who passed away between July 2007 and July of this year. The Burchfield Brothers will provide music during the memorial.
Jon Burchfield is a master of the Classical Guitar, while Ben Burchfield plays the MalletKAT, a MIDI marimba played with mallets or by hand. Their musical arrangements combine such styles as Smokey Mountain Jazz Gospel, Classical and even Irish. The duo has recorded more than a half dozen albums.
The morning’s featured speaker is Pastor Jules Jules, who leads a growing church in the Middle East.
The Tomlins, Matrone and the Fort Myers worship band will provide music during the offering.
The service will close with corporate communion and prayer, led by General Superintendent George O. Wood.
Prior to being elected general superintendent in 2007, 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.
Wood and his wife Jewel have a daughter and a son.
This evening
This evening’s service begins with worship led by recording artist and worship leader Jeff Deyo.
Deyo is co-founder of Pure Worship Institute in Nashville, Tennessee. Pure Worship Institute exists to train future professional worship musicians and singers through teaching, modeling, mentoring and building. Deyo brings his desire to train upcoming worship leaders to Council this week as he leads an Orland09 workshop on “The Heart of Worship.”
At the conclusion of worship, Wood will take an offering for scholarships given through AG Trust. Recording artists Shane & Shane will perform during the offertory.
Shane Barnard and Shane Everett formed their acoustic duo after meeting at college in the late 90s. Since that time they have toured extensively and recorded six label releases. Barnard and Everett recently joined The Oaks School of Leadership (AG) in Dallas, Texas, to help “raise up leaders in the worship music community.”
Once the offering has been received, Wood will introduce the evening’s speaker, Herbert Cooper, senior pastor of People’s Church in Oklahoma City.
Cooper and his wife Tiffany planted People’s Church in 2002 with 65 people in attendance at the first service. It has since grown into a thriving, multiethnic church with more than 2,000 attendees. Prior to planting People’s Church, Cooper had ministered as an evangelist since his graduation from Evangel University in 1997.
Herbert and Tiffany Cooper have four children.
During tonight’s service, Cooper will share his passion for evangelism and challenge General Council attendees to have an ongoing desire to reach “one more.” Following Cooper’s message, attendees will have the opportunity to spend time at the altar.