It was my privilege to serve as the presiding officer for the 108th Conference Session of the North Carolina Conference onAugust 3, 2019.
The Conference convened at 9 a.m. in the beautiful J. A. Culbreth Auditorium on the campus of the North Carolina Conference, which is located in historic Falcon, North Carolina.
Conference Superintendent, Bishop Danny Nelson in his unassuming and personable way delivered his State of the Conference Reportwith passion and conviction. A few excerpts from Bishop Nelson’s report follow:
“At the end of 2018, the North Carolina Conference had 214 churches, 30,024 members, averaged 18,405 in attendance, recorded 8,917 in systematic Bible studies, 4,557 salvations, 380 sanctifications, and259 ‘Pentecostal Baptisms.’
This conference has excelled again as the top giving and participating conference in the U.S. – to God be the glory for the great things He has done through the ministry of the North Carolina Conference. Still I declare to you with much anticipation and excitement that, ‘we’ve only scratched the surface’, of what we can do together. This conference must set the pace and continue to direct, spearhead, and lead the charge in winning the lost for our Lord.
Our vision for Arise 2033 is to have 250 churches, 40,000 members, 30,000 in average attendance, 15,000 in systematic Bible studies, and 7,000 experiences yearly. The great ‘IF’ of ARISE 2033 is not God’s power, nor His harvest (it’s His), nor money – its laborers – you and I and a host of laborers to be tapped, equipped, andsent. Through our coaching and revitalization programs, we’re believing God for revitalized congregations, laborers, anddisciples. We’re going all outto identify and equip ministers and lay ministry leaders in our School of Ministry, INCaM, and the Hispanic School of Ministry.”
Bishop Nelson then introduced Rev. Bill Rose, who highlighted the conference’s revitalization efforts by identifying some of their successes to date. Bill serves as one of five regional coaches for Church Revitalization Multiplication and works in partnership with Rev. Josh Hannah, Church Revitalization & Multiplication National Consultant/EVUSA.
“We cannot finish the Great Commission without the power of the Holy Spirit. pastors, minsters, congregations – beyond the coaching, the training, the School of Ministry, the mechanics and workings of the conference – I want to emphasize some absolute necessities: prayer, preaching, the call, and the function of the altar. We are Pentecostal and we are Holiness – preach the doctrines of the Bible from which we draw our identity as a People of Promise.
I am still driven by the words and promises that God spoke through brother Randy Hill to me last year: INCREASE – EXPANSION – ACCELERATION!
I look forward to 2020 and beyond. I look forward to what God has in store for this conference. We are better working together in the Lord’s harvest. Let’s unite our hearts, talents and resources to complete the Great Commission.”
Clergy Credentials were issued/approved as follows:
Certificate of Ordination (10) –
- Paula Bryant
- Kathya Gonzalez
- Mario Leon
- Karen Lucas
- Paul Mobley, Jr.
- Twila Nelson
- Jody O’Neal
- Vernanda Oxendine
- Jacob Snider
- Alan Woodard
Minister’s License (14) –
- David Butler
- Edward DeLisle
- Chris Dunn
- Hannon Edwards
- Steven Mercer
- Pam Mills
- Chris Nobles
- Karelys Pereira
- Jeovanni Rivera
- Melanie Ross
- Paul Street
- Hannah Ward
- Michael Watts
- Janene Wooten
Local Church Minister’s License (6) –
- Pablo Avila
- Susana Avila
- Jamie Hammonds
- Kenneth Hyde
- Juan Carlos
- Matthew Sessoms
Mrs. Linda Thomas, conference executive council member, presented the conference’s Appreciation Reportwhich honored Rev. Dr. R. W. Vince Arnold (39 years), Rev. Robert J. Forehand (45 years), and Rev. Mrs. Patsy Tuner Jones (transferred her credentials to NC in 2004) and their spouses for their years of service as ministers of the gospel in the North Carolina Conference and congratulated them on their retirement.
Mrs. Thomas concluded the Appreciation Report by saying:
“Only eternity will reveal the fruit of the labors of these faithful servants who have answered His call…who have been willing to go to their assignments and preach the gospel, love the people, and nurture them in spiritual growth. We can only say, ‘Thank You’ today, but God’s Word promises that one day they will receive their greatest reward.”
“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love.” –Hebrews 6: 10
Rev. Doug Bartlett, assistant conference superintendent, led the conference in memorializing and honoring the lives and ministry legacies of 12 ‘heroines/heroes of the faith’ in an exceptionally well-produced video tribute and Memoirs Report:
- Lois Smith Lewis
- David Lee Barnes
- Ellen Hancock Guthrie
- Jesse Barnes Horne
- Ralph W. Jernigan
- Peggy Davis Mooring
- Marvin Ransom Whitfield
- Dorothy Jean Norris
- Della Stewart Slye
- Marvin Lee Guthrie
- Rhonda Yvonne Nealey Cain
- Betty Jane Hyler Dowdy
It was an honor as the presiding officer to recognize the following conference attendees and guests:
- President Chris Thompson, Holmes Bible College, former vice chairman and executive director of the General Evangelism USA Ministries and former conference superintendent, GEB, GBA, andCOB member
- Wiley Clark, former general Christian Education director, GBA member, and CEO of Falcon Children’s Home
- Elwood Long, former conference superintendent, GBA member, and CEO of Falcon Children’s Home
- Jim Whitfield, former conference superintendent, COB member, and chairman of the General IPH Foundation
- Norwood Starling, former conference superintendent of Redemption Ministries/Eastern Virginia Conference, and GBA member
- John Hedgepeth, former GEB and GBA member
- Marybelle Johnson, former director of the General Women’s Ministries and GBA member
- Janice Marshburn, assistant director of the General Women’s Ministries
- Jack Kelley, former director of the General Men’s Ministries and GBA member
- Linda Thomas, former assistant director of the General Women’s Ministries and General Discipleship Ministries Council member
- Bobby Forehand, former National Royal Rangers commander and General Christian Education board member
- Dean King, member of the General IPH Foundation board
- George Wilson, member of the General IPH Foundation board
- Reggie Till, member of the General IPH Foundation board and the former assistant director of General Stewardship Ministries
- Charles Boyd, former assistant director of the General Discipleship Ministries
- Jon Oliver, former member of the General Discipleship Ministries Council
- Doug Bartlett, member of the General World Missions Ministries Council
- David Roberson, member of the General World Missions Ministries Council and chairman of the Emmanuel College board of trustees
- Joey Leggett, CEO of Falcon Children’s Home, Inc.
- Ron White, president of Emmanuel College
- Darrel & Bonnie Clowers, missionaries to the West Indies and the Caribbean
- David & Cheri Arthur, missionaries with the special assignment of serving as Scripture media consultants for Bible translators
- Joe & Elsie Arthur, retired missionaries and former continental director for Africa
- Michael & Jennifer Oliver, missionaries to Israel
- Paul & Aguste Street, newly assigned missionaries to Namibia
The North Carolina Conference epitomizes the very best in everything they do. This is the most influential conference in the United States and their support of the mission and ministriesof our church is unprecedented!
It was a distinct honor to serve conference superintendent, Bishop Danny and Rose Nelson and the delegates and visitors of this 108THAnnual Conference Session as their presiding officer. Continue to keep Mrs. Rose in your prayers.
Praying that the Holy Spirit will envision and empower Bishop Nelson as he shepherds his flock.
Danny, know that the ‘best is still to come!’
