JUNE 5-6, 2015
By Bishop Thomas H. McGhee
It was my great honor to be able to participate in and to preside over the 2015 Annual Conference Session for Rocky Mountain on June 5-6, 2015. Bishop Larry Herrera and his wife, June, were such great hosts. They drove me around for some beautiful sight seeing as well as a moving visit to the Columbine Memorial for the precious lives that were tragically cut short in a senseless act of violence. Columbine was the beginning of what has now become too frequent and horrific manifestations of a culture that is declining as it rejects the knowledge of God.
The Rocky Mountain Conference sessions were held in the Praise Center Church in Denver. The theme of this year’s session was “Leaving the Familiar…Entering the Unknown.” Bishop Herrera did a wonderful job preparing for the Conference and special thanks were given to the host church, as well as The Healing Place for providing ushers and greeters and Ascend Master’s Commission for their assistance.
Friday’s activities began with a continental breakfast followed by praise and worship which was led by Pastor Jake Ishmael and Ascend Master’s Commission. The morning session was continued with three training sessions led by Pastor Jake Ishmael, Pastor Tyler Clark, and myself. A special 75th Anniversary Celebration Banquet was held from 1-3 pm with special recognition for several ministers including lifetime achievement awards for former superintendents Paul Clark and Clifford Sampier and Pastor Joe Herrera. Pastor Jim Brummett served as the guest speaker for the Friday evening service. The congregation was stirred as the Holy Spirit moved among His people.
Saturday morning, sixty-three delegates and a number of visitors attended the official conference session. After being introduced by Bishop Herrera, it was my privilege to present our devotion and training on the core value, “We Prayerfully Value Pentecost” which was followed by the “State of the Conference” report by Bishop Larry Herrera. Bishop Herrera shared an update on the constituency of the conference which includes: 22 Churches, 21 Pastors, 1300 total membership, 59 ordained and 14 licensed ministers with 2 ministers of music. He continued his report with a time of transparency as he and the Executive Council continue to work to bring churches and ministers into compliance with the expectations for membership in the IPHC. Bishop Larry concluded his report with the following statement, “In 2004, I joined the Rocky Mountain Conference because I wanted to be part of something bigger than what I was doing. I realized the necessity of amenability and accountability. The Conference has proven to be a place of comradery, fellowship, healing and strength. My desire is to see our Conference come together in one mind, one spirit, and one accord, building the Kingdom of God in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region.”
Pastor Robert Lopez presented the Examining Committee Report which recommended three individuals for Minister’s License, one for Music Minister’s License, and two candidates for ordination. They are as follows:
License
Rick Arrick
Catherine (Cathy) V. Ray
Linda A. Villalobos
License – Music
Omar Villalobos
Ordination
Rogelio Diaz
Bruce R. Heil
A large number of local Church Certificates were presented which speaks well for the future of developing more leaders. The report was followed by a charge to the newly licensed ministers and the official ordination of the ministers recommended by the examining committee.
Before concluding the day’s business session, the Bishop and Executive Council presented several statements for consideration to be included in the conference bylaws regarding a new prolife statement, a support of marriage statement, and the prohibition of the use of marijuana even though it has been legalized in the state of Colorado. These statements were approved by the delegation to be added to their conference bylaws.
May the Lord continue to bless Bishop Herrera and the Rocky Mountain Conference to be a light in their region.