THEWHOLETRUTH 37
I clearlyheard thevoiceof theLord
say that the time isnow togo forth.”
Confirmation for her camewith the
overwhelming response from the
saints and how easily theworship
experience came together.After
selecting the singers andmusicians,
the full team had one rehearsal
duringConvocation.
From all accounts from those pres-
ent, and the socialmedia frenzy
that followed, theworship experi-
ence glorifiedGod in everyway.
Itwas a great evening in the very
presence of theLord from thefirst
note to the last. Dr. J has been a
blessing to the corporateworship of
theChurch.We look forward to her
continued leadership.
COGICGENERAL
ASSEMBLY
While it is true thatwe have great
services and opportunities to serve
the community, we also take care
of the business of theChurch. The
GeneralAssemblymet onMonday
and although this year’s session
was lighter, as compared to other
years, therewas still business to
whichwe had to attend.
Themajor item before theGeneral
Assemblywas the approval of the
2018-2019 budget, whichwas ap-
proved.
The budget calls for revenues and
expenses in excess of 11million
dollars and includes nearly $50,000
going into the reserve fund. Em-
phasiswas once again placed on
members of theChurchOfGod
InChrist participating in theLa-
ityDayCampaign. This campaign
asks eachmember of the church to
support theministries of the church
with a special $20 offering. The
PresidingBishop has committed
all of the funds raised during the
LoyaltyDay campaign toEduca-
tion andMissions.
Therewas alsomajor discussion
about persons holding two elected
and/or appointedoffices.This issue
could impact several leaders and
will be revisited at theAprilCall
Sessionof theGeneralAssembly.
SERVICES, GLORIOUS
SERVICES
Praisefilled theTemple inmighty
ways!Of course, the “temple” is
TheAmerica’sCenter duringHoly
Convocation. Two guest preachers
graced thepulpit: Pastor
JoelOsteen
ofHouston, Texas andBishop
MarvinL. SappofGrandRapids,
Michigan. PastorOsteenbegan
with two jokes to lighten themood
of the evening andprepared to
minister theWordof theLord.He
was obviouslymoved and touched
bybeing atHolyConvocation as he
recalled the tremendousministryof
his late father, Pastor JohnOsteen.
Of course, BishopMarvinSapp
is no stranger toCOGIC.Aswell
known as he is as a singer, hewill
tell you that his greatest joy comes
from preaching the gospel of Jesus
Christ. He encouraged those pres-
ent to remain committed to the
work of theministry and to see it
to completion. “Theworld needs
theChurch to be theChurch...
nomore time for hiding from our
responsibility.”
The highlight of all services, of
course, is theLord’sDayCel-
ebration held onSunday. This
is the timewhenwe hear from
our PresidingBishop andChief
Apostle, HisEminence, TheMost
ReverendCharlesEdwardBlake,
Sr.After years of having services
in 4 different venues, the saints
nowworship inone facility.Nearly
