NOTE:
“Attached is Bishop Mike Gray’s report from the Passion Connection Conference held this past weekend in Louisiana. Due to schedule conflicts with the ECCOB, I asked Bishop Gray to cover this conference for the COB. He will also be doing the same this coming weekend for the Mississippi Conference as there are again unusual schedule issues for the ECCOB. Normally this does not happen but with some conferences holding their Centennial events it has led to us making some adjustments.
A special thanks to Bishop Gray for doing this for the ECCOB and COB! Sincerely,
Doug Beacham”
By Bishop Mike Gray
At the request of Presiding Bishop, Dr. A.D. Beacham, Jr., it was an honor to preside over the Annual Conference of the Passion Connection Conference, June 5-6, 2015. Impact Church in Denham Springs, Louisiana graciously hosted the conference events. Rev. Gordon Atwell serves as Lead Pastor of the church and as the Conference Bishop.
The conference events kicked off in grand style with a banquet meal on Thursday evening, June 4 at Drusilla’s Seafood Restaurant in Baton Rouge. Attendance was in the upper 20’s. The evening was devoted to networking and fellowship over a good seafood meal.
The annual conference session convened on June 5 at 10:15 a.m. Bishop Atwell shared a warm welcome and offered prayer for our time together. Josh Atwell led the conference participants in a time of worship. From the outset, the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit swept into the meeting.
Following worship, I shared from Acts 2 and bridged the passage to the video devotional presentation on, “We Prayerfully Value Pentecost.” The video presentation was received with thanksgiving for the moving of the Holy Spirit in the IPHC, past, present and future.
Bishop Gordon Atwell presented his Superintendent and State of the Conference Report.
- He shared the conference has 20 churches, 69 ordained ministers, 2 licensed ministers, and 7 with local church minister certificates.
- He provided a brief background on the conference history with renewed emphasis on doing Kingdom ministry together in the future.
- His report also included a brief vignette on the 5th IPHC Global Assembly in Hong Kong.
- Bishop Atwell provided a 2014 financial overview with comparisons to 2013.
His report was adopted with appreciation.
There were no ministerial candidates for license or ordination in this session. During the morning, I also recognized IPHC Missionary Felicia Bush, Conference Secretary-Treasurer Dwayne Williams and Conference Discipleship Ministries Director Josh Atwell. There were about 30 ministers and guests in attendance.
The Friday evening celebration service included excellent praise and worship and drama presentation. Felicia Bush shared about the Lord calling her to Italy and Europe. She did a great job. I believe she was adopted as “family” by the Passion Connection Conference. Bishop Atwell gave a short word of exhortation to the body—affirming and encouraging. I followed with remarks from Luke 4:16-18. Much of the group came forward to receive prayers for healing and breakthrough. The Holy Spirit’s anointing was present.
The conference session concluded with a prayer session on Saturday morning. Bishop Atwell led this time of intercession in the presence of the Lord. Dwayne Williams was superb in leading worship during the prayer focus.
Following prayer, everyone enjoyed a delicious crawfish boil prepared by several men that attend Impact Church. Both the meal and the fellowship around the tables was a treat! I commend Bishop Gordon and Therese, the Atwell family, and Impact Church for their warm hospitality and servant spirit during the conference. These are special folks.
May the Lord continue to bless Passion Connection Conference to win the lost, disciple believers, develop leaders, plant churches and reach their full Kingdom potential for the glory of God!